<<Back to Northwest Herps The scientific name of the Pacific Tree Frog is Hyla regilla. The Pacific Tree Frog is one of the smallest in the northwest region. It can be recognized by its sticky toe pads, black stripes through each eye which extend to the shoulder, a V or Y-shaped mark between its eye, light-colored belly and dark spots on back and legs. It can change color to green and brown tones in a few minutes. The color change is related to the temperature and amount of moisture in the air, not the background color as in most other amphibians and reptiles. This color change gives it the protection of camouflage. Male frogs are territorial and protect their part of the pond from other males by repeating their two-toned mating call at night. The call can be heard from as far as several kilometers.
Western Toad is one of the loudest amphibians of the Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Tree Frog reproduces by laying eggs. Eggs are laid in early March to May in temporary ponds where predators do not live or lay eggs. By choosing temporary ponds instead of deep permanent ponds, Tree Frogs reduce the number of predators that may eat the tadpoles. Eggs take about three to four weeks to hatch, depending on water temperature. The cooler the water is, the longer they take to hatch. After eggs are laid, the parents hop back to forests and forest edges, leaving the young to fend for themselves.
Young tree frogs in the form of tadpoles eat algae and other pond plants. Water bugs, diving beetles, salamander larvae, adult frogs, and other frog tadpoles such as bullfrogs eat tadpoles. Adult frogs feed on flying and crawling insects and other invertebrates. Like most frogs, the tree frogs will stuff creatures almost as long as themselves in their mouth. They are eaten by raccoons, herons, mink, bullfrogs and other animals.
Federal and State Secure and has no status of danger.
http://www-atdp.berkeley.edu/9931/dhuang/essay.html
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| Species Details |
Size: Up to 2 Inches length
Regions: Can be found as far north as southern British Columbia to California in the south, and as far east as Montana and Nevada. It can also be found on the Queen Charlotte Islands in British Columbia.
Breeding: Eggs are layed between March and May. The cooler the water the longer it takes for the eggs to hatch.
Alerts: None
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