Help IDing a baby tree frog

[Dclan86]

So I work at a high school and the science teacher order a tadpole at the beginning of the year. Long story short, it ended up in my office and I took over care taking responsibilities. He/She was a tad for about 2 1/2 months and then turned into a baby froglet. Now he/she is a baby frog and I think that it is a gray tree frog but I am so new to this I would like some confirmation by some people who have experience. The tadpole was sold under the name of being a "Green Tree Frog" but to me it more resembles a gray tree frog. Pictures below, check them out and let me know! Much appreciated! He is very cute! Just to add a few details you might not be able to see. He has white markings under both his eyes (which I heard was a Gray Tree frog thing, but then I read conflicting things online, so I was not certain), he does not have orange on his hind legs (yet, maybe that will come), he changes from very light almost neon green to dark almost brown during the day. Let me know what you guys think! Also if anyone could tell me the best type of water to give these guys to soak in. I have heard spring water (like bottled water I am assuming?) and treated tap water? Which one should it be? I was using distilled for a while after tadpole metamorph but then I read that they need more of the minerals from spring water. So if anyone could add that answer in, that would be great as well.

[killerecho]

Welcome to the forum! That certainly looks like a gray tree frog to me. The patch under the eye as you mentioned and the mottled skin are all signs of the species. However, there's no way to distinguish the eastern gray (hyla versicolor) from the Cope's gray (hyla chrysoscelis) until you hear their call. Little guy looks pretty happy and healthy there. As he grows up, it will become apparent whether he is actually a "he" by calling and the emergence of a dark throat patch and orange underneath the thighs. Regardless of sex, the green will gradually shift into a gray-dark brown color.

What does his habitat look like? Grays are, in my experience, one of the hardiest and easiest frogs to keep. All they need are a few basics like fresh water, room temperature, humidity around 60%, live food and some routine cleaning. You can use either spring/mineral water or tap treated with an aquarium dechlorinator. You're right, distilled water should be avoided due to the absence of trace minerals that the frog needs. Feeders should be smaller than the width of their heads. They might also appreciate some plants to climb around, as well as ample space to do so. There is a good care article on gray tree frogs written by John Clare, the founder of this very forum here.

If you have any other questions, please let us know.

[tylototriton]

I'm going to agree with Brian (and you). Definitely Hyla versicolor/chrysoscelis. I would think about getting him a new cage or something if that is the enclosure you're using in your first pic. Not that it is necessarily bad, but it won't really keep him contained for long.

Love those guys!
Alex

[Dclan86]

I'm going to agree with Brian (and you). Definitely Hyla versicolor/chrysoscelis. I would think about getting him a new cage or something if that is the enclosure you're using in your first pic. Not that it is necessarily bad, but it won't really keep him contained for long.

Love those guys!
Alex

Yes I agree! It is only temporary for now, he is growing up fast on me! Are you trying to tell me I am going to come into work one day and there will be a hole chipped in the side of the little tank with a little rope hanging out the side??? lol jk. But seriously do you think he can get out? I plan on getting him to a 10 gallon at the least by next week at the latest. It does have a lid by the way, in case that isn't visible in the pic.