Hyla gratiosa
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| Hyla gratiosa LeConte, 1856 |
The barking tree frog (Hyla gratiosa) is a stout tree frog, 5 to 7 centimeters long, and 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. It is the largest native tree frog in the United States, where it is found from North Carolina to south Florida and eastern Lousiana, usually in coastal areas. The 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. The tadpoles can be nearly 5 centimeters in length.
