Here are the tree frogs

June 15, 2015 • 7:30 am

Yesterday I had a “spot the woodfrog” post, with the photo contributed by reader Mark Sturtevant, who placed the two gray tree frogs (Hyla versicolor) on a tree trunk. One reader put the solution in the comments, but here’s the definitive answer from Mark. And note how cryptic these little guys are!

Here are the tree frogs. These cute little critters are pretty common around here. The two used in this picture currently live in a preferred spot in my yard. One is always in the gap between my shed door and frame (I am vary careful opening and closing my shed), and the other is always found in a hole in our fence. I released them near where I found them, and within the day they both returned to their exact ‘spot’ where they have stayed for several weeks so far. I check on them every time I mow my lawn.

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The 2nd picture is the shed frog. This one has put up with my moving him (her?) around for pictures on several occasions. I think it has a funny expression on its face.

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I expect you know that two related species of these frogs live in America, and that they mainly differ in their range and by one being diploid while the other is tetraploid. The one that is likely where I live (Michigan) is the tetraploid one, and the more southern species (H. chrysoscelis) is diploid. The whole story is summarized here.

Reader Su made a meme of that photo based on “the most interesting man in the world” Dos Equis ad (the man poses like the frog):

weit frog

10 thoughts on “Here are the tree frogs”

  1. What cute frogs! They must’ve been annoyed having to journey back to their spots.

    1. I have decided that like owls, they always have some sort of expression. If they could roll their eyes, they would.

  4. Can I use these images in my next contract? I teach Security Screeners X-Ray Image Recognition Technique and this a good illustration of complexity revealed by acquired pattern knowledge. I usually use the transposed star and Dellenbach images but these are great! Tom.

    Sent from my iPad

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