Hyla gratiosa
| Barking tree frog | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Hylidae |
| Genus: | Hyla |
| Species: | H. gratiosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Hyla gratiosa LeConte, 1856 | |
The barking tree frog (Hyla gratiosa) is a species of tree frog endemic to the southeastern United States.
Geographic range
It is found from Delaware to southern Florida and eastern Louisiana, usually in coastal areas.
Description
Hyla gratiosa is the largest native tree frog in the United States. It is 5 to 7 cm (2.0 to 2.8 in) in head-body length. It is variable in color, but easily recognizable due to the characteristic dark, round markings on its dorsum. Individuals may be bright or dull green, brown, yellowish, or gray in color. It has prominent, round toe pads, and the male has a large vocal sac.
In captivity
Barking treefrogs can be kept as an exotic pet quite simply in captivity, when provided with a few basic requirements. A variety of substrates will suit the needs of these frogs, including everything from simple paper toweling to more natural substrates, such as peat moss, and coir. It is important to have a drainage layer at the bottom of the enclosure, which can be made using either large grade pea gravel or expanded clay pellets, and then covering this with fiberglass wiSuitable plants include Philodendron, pothos, Aglaonema and Dieffenbachia, and other large-leaved sturdy plants. It is also important to provide a large, clean water dish to allow these animals to soak regularly.
Crickets make a good staple food item. Supplement these with mealworms and superworms. These treefrogs have a voracious appetite and can become obese if overfed. Gut loading crickets with a large variety of vegetables and commercial cricket food is a good way to provide nutritious food items. Dusting the food items with a dietary supplement is also a good idea with this species, especially for younger animals still undergoing periods of rapid growth to prevent bone softening. This will help to ensure proper bone development.[2]
Behavior
The barking tree frog is known for its loud, strident, barking call. It may also utter a repetitive single-syllable mating call. It has been known to chorus with other frogs of the same and similar species.
The barking tree frog burrows in the sand, especially when the temperature is hot. It also spends time high up in trees, especially during the day when it is less active.
It breeds in shallow pools or ponds from March to August. It is a polygynous species, the female choosing the male on the basis of his call. Tadpoles can be nearly 5 cm (2.0 in) in length.
References
- ↑ Hammerson, G. 2004. Hyla gratiosa. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. Downloaded on 04 June 2013.
- ↑ http://www.petsuppliesplus.com/content.jsp?pageName=barking_tree_frog. Missing or empty
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External links
Data related to Hyla gratiosa at Wikispecies
Media related to Hyla gratiosa at Wikimedia Commons