Green tree frogs come from a large species of frogs and are usually found in tropical areas. Since they come from a big and diverse group, they have many characteristics. The average lifespan of a tree frog is around 3-6 years, whereas a smaller-sized frog will only live for a few months. Larger-sized frog species make good since they can live around 21 years with proper management and care.
For a more detailed introduction to the life of a Green Tree frog or an American tree frog, read below:
What is a Lifespan Of A Tree Frog?
Besides being raised as a pet in a protective environment where they can live longer, a green tree frog’s life is full of uncertainty and challenges from searching for food, saving themselves from predators, and drastic weather changes.
The lifespan of a Tree Frog Depends on its species:
Assuming they are being raised under a protective environment, A white tree frog and an Australian tree frog can live up to 15 years. In contrast, the famous Red-eyed frog can live up to 20 years, the lifespan of which declines to 5 years when it comes to surviving in the wild.
The Bigger the Better:
The bigger the American tree frog is, the longer it will live, and a smaller frog will have a smaller lifespan.
To back this claim, here are some facts:
- A bigger frog can maintain a stable core body temperature.
- A bigger one will not only eat less frequently but can also fight starvation to some extent.
Colder Temperature is more suitable for Green Tree Frogs:
Brumation is the technique used by tree frogs living in a colder environment that allows them to hibernate, slow down their metabolic rate, and go dormant during extremely cold weather. But since they will be under hibernation, they won’t be able to escape predators, so they must find a safe spot before going into hibernation.
Read More- What Do Frogs Eat?
8 Amusing Facts about Green Tree Frogs:
Toads and Tree Frogs are Different:
Since they are amphibians, people generally need clarification on the two. Here is how you can tell them both apart:
The most basic difference you can notice is that frogs have bigger legs that help them jump long distances, whereas toads only have small legs that are only used for walking.
Another thing you can notice is that a toad’s eyes are bigger and bulging out, while a frog will have smaller and less bulging eyes.
If that was all tricky for you, here is an easy characteristic to tell them apart, their skin, a frog will have a smooth, shiny skinned-out surface due to their moist environment, and a toad will have dry and muddy skin as they don’t go near water.
Tree Frogs are small in size:
While you may have encountered bigger frogs in the wild, tree frogs can only grow up to 5 inches, while other frogs might be up to 12 inches.
Tree frogs find their small size quite useful as they usually live on trees, and their small size lets them hold on to the leaves and bark without snapping them and throwing them to the ground, where they might get attacked.
Tree Frogs come in so Many Different Colors:
To your knowledge, there are over 30 kinds of tree frogs in the United States alone. They vary from gray to brown and even green. Some are even known to change their color from green to brown to adapt to their surroundings. Squirrel Tree frogs are color-changing frogs found in the United States.
Tree Frogs feed on Insects:
Since green tree frogs are small in size, they don’t go into active hunting. Instead, they sit and wait for their prey; this makes them opportunistic hunters. Since they feed on insects, it makes them insectivores. And due to the freedom of being hunted, they don’t go out hunting until it is very necessary.
This sit-and-wait technique makes them passive hunters, where they wait for the prey to come to them. As a means of a weapon, they have a long and sticky tongue, which they unfurl at the insect to grab it. Due to their small size, tree frogs only feed on smaller insects like cricket, bugs, ants, and mosquitoes. Irrespective of their size, they are known to consume thousands of bugs yearly.
Tree Frogs are Tadpoles at first:
Tadpoles are just baby frogs in the pond yet to achieve adulthood. Some frogs are known to hatch out of eggs, while others have a larval stage of life. A tadpole is an omnivorous organism that spends most of its time in water and feeds on animals and plants.
Tree Frogs are difficult to be preyed on by the Predators:
Tree frogs and toads have a very important role in the food chain, where some animals in the wild feast on them, assuming they catch them.
What makes them a difficult catch is their excellent camouflaging body type. Their grey, brown, and green color, small size, and quick reflexes make them a very difficult catch for predators.
The most classic example of a frog camouflaging is The Red eyes tree frog, which has excellent camouflaging skills. When they feel threatened or are attacked with their quick reflexes, they jump away from the predator, tuck in their bright orange feet inside their green-colored body, and close their bright red eyes to blend into the surroundings.
Not all frogs use their colors to camouflage; some tree frogs use their color to their advantage in quite different ways. They use their bright-colored skin to confuse the predators and throw them off by mimicking their cousins from different toxic and venomous species. This lets the predator think they are not edible and not to be messed with.
Was this technique smart and impressive? Wait till you hear about the Gliding Tree Frog. Gliding? Yes, they glide, and whenever in danger, this frog that lives in the trees uses their gliding technique to get past the predators. They use their legs and webbed toes to form a parachute-like stance and glide from the trees by freefalling and landing on the ground.
That sounds like a fun way to escape death.
Tree Frogs Don’t Drink Water:
Don’t worry; they do drink water, just not the way humans do. Neither do they breathe as we do? They have pretty intriguing skin and use it to absorb water, not only water but they are also known to breathe using their skin. Now you know why they are only found in damp and humid weather, to have a constant supply of water from the surrounding.
Tree Frogs are getting close to Extinction:
Well, just like most of the species in the wilderness, tree frogs are also getting close to extinction. The population of tree frogs is constantly declining, mostly because of negligence.
Their unique skills and ability also come at a cost. Whenever they breathe through their skins, it exposes them to bad air quality and poor water bodies. It also indicates that you won’t particularly find them in polluted areas because they only look for cleaner areas to live in.
Also, it indicates that an area with a heavy population of frogs has a cleaner environment. The fungus also plays a vital role in a fast-declining population of frogs. Since they are only found in damp and humid areas, with humidity comes a severe amount of fungus, which causes infection in these amphibians.
Are Tree Frogs good house pets?
Yes! They are great as beginner pets. Since they require minimum care, they are often preferred by households looking for a pet but are usually busy. They are also preferred due to people’s awareness and the need for exotic and new animals as pets. Let’s take a deeper dive into the reason that makes a Tree Frog a perfect house pet:
- Low Maintenance – If you have had a pet in the past, you must be aware of all the troubles and hassles you have to go through to take care of your pet. But unlike any other pet, Tree frogs are hassle-free as they don’t require frequent attention and care and are quite passive, and their owner doesn’t have to put in too much energy to look after them.
- Terrariums Can Be Beautiful – Whenever we see an aquarium at someone’s house, we stop and give it a good look since it’s uncommon and beautiful.
- Now imagine coming across a Terrarium at a friend’s house. Sounds intriguing, right? Terrariums are the house of a tree frog with vibrant leaves, soft mosses, and small branches; since they are bigger than an aquarium, they often people’s attention.
- Besides being beautiful and majestic, you can also customize a terrarium according to your imagination, often referred to as an art.
- Tree Frogs are obedient- Since they are small, they usually show little to no anger. Due to their small teeth, even if someone got bitten, it wouldn’t hurt that person. Moreover, no such incident has been reported where a tree frog hurt a human.
How to handle a Tree Frog?
No matter which species of frog you decide to get always handles them with caution. Due to their innocent and docile nature, they are preferred more as a pet than other frogs.
They are quiet and don’t jump around unnecessarily in their terrarium. But don’t confuse them with a cuddle buddy. Whenever you touch your pet tree frog, wash your hands.
As a precaution, prefer washing your before and after you come in contact with your pet’s skin since it can cause Salmonella poisoning.
What is their natural habitat, and where are they mostly found?
Tree frogs have been around the planet earth for so long that they have survived even in the harsh deserts of Australia. According to several reports, a tree frog is almost everywhere on this planet, humid forests are the first preference for a tree frog, and one easily spots a tree frog in those forests.
Now we don’t support you playing and bringing home a tree frog when you spot one in the wild. And instead, what you must do is call a professional or let the animal be as it is and be on your way.
Tree Frogs can be found mostly Near a Water body:
Freshwater ponds or lakes are the houses of green tree frogs not. They live in the pond but need it to survive and lay eggs in it; if you spot a still and freshwater pond in the wild or even a small puddle after heavy rainfall, look out on the nearest tree branch, and you can easily spot a Tree Frog.
How do Green Tree Frogs Talk?
Tree frogs have a unique way of talking to their peers; their call is definitive to the animal they call out to. They are usually the loudest during their mating or breeding session during spring. But in the tropical region, they are loudest all year round. You might find a tree frog on a branch if you hear a loud noise of chirps, croaks, clicks, or peeps nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- How long do green tree frogs live?
The Average known age of an American Tree frog is around 15 years if kept in a safe environment. - What do Tree frogs eat?
Tree frogs are insectivores. It means they feed on insects such as bugs, mosquitoes, crickets, etc. - How long is an American Tree Frog?
Tree frogs are generally small in size and can be of size up to 5 inches. - How to care for an American Tree frog?
They require minimalistic care. All you need is a protected and humid environment which you can offer by getting a good-sized terrarium.
Read More- Why Does African Clawed Frog Bloat?
