12/05/2025
Greetings! I am the Gray Tree Frog, a small but mighty presence throughout Arkansas. You might have heard my loud, rattling trill on warm, humid summer evenings, especially after a good rain. But spotting me is a challenge because I am the ultimate master of camouflage. I have bumpy skin that allows me to perfectly mimic the rough texture of tree bark and lichen, and I can change my color instantly from mottled gray or brown to leafy green, depending on my surroundings. I spend most of my time high up in the trees, secured by my incredible sticky toe pads, which work like tiny suction cups, letting me climb virtually any vertical surface—even glass! At night, I descend to hunt, keeping your yard free of pests by consuming a steady diet of insects, spiders, and other small arthropods. If a predator manages to catch me off guard, I have a secret weapon: a sudden flash of brilliant yellow-orange color on my inner thighs. This burst of color disorients the attacker for a split second, giving me just enough time to leap to safety. Finally, when the Arkansas winter arrives, I have a superpower few can match: I can actually freeze solid! By producing a natural antifreeze called glycerol, my body can survive with over half of its water turned to ice, ready to thaw out and sing again when spring returns.
My calls aren't just for fun; they are vital for finding a mate, which is why I call so persistently from pools, ditches, and temporary ponds during the breeding season. Did you know the "Gray Tree Frog" is actually two nearly identical species in Arkansas—the slower-trilling Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolor) and the faster-trilling Cope's Gray Tree Frog (Hyla chrysoscelis)? Scientists often refer to us collectively as the Gray Tree Frog Complex because, without measuring the speed of our call, you can't tell us apart! So, the next time you hear that evening chorus, remember you're listening to one of the state's most fascinating and adaptable amphibians, playing a crucial role in our ecosystem.
