Can you help me ID my frogs?

[slewis87]

Hi, I registered to see if someone could help ID my frogs. I caught them as tadpoles out of our pond in central Ohio.

[John]

They're Gray Tree Frogs (the youngsters like to stay green most of the time but they can change to any color they want). Depending on where you live in central Ohio, it could be Hyla versicolor or H. chrysoscelis. They are identical in appearance and can't be told apart without hearing their call or carrying out genetic analysis on them. Read about how to take care of them here: Frog Forum - Gray Tree Frog Care and Breeding

[slewis87]

Thanks so much, John! I was doing it all wrong lol. I still had them in a tank of water. I drained the water and need to get some soil and other things now. Thanks again

[froggymatt]

Hyla versicolor or H. chrysoscelis....more likely versicolor.....i live in florida and we get greys like roaches and have yet to see a versicolor here...more chrysosclelis.

[Lacibeth]

Hyla versicolor or H. chrysoscelis....more likely versicolor.....i live in florida and we get greys like roaches and have yet to see a versicolor here...more chrysosclelis.

Can you explain how you're differentiating between H. versicolor and H. chrysoscelis?

I've been working with a couple herpetologists distinguishing between H.v and H.c and as to which we have in Nebraska. (Actually, I'm betting Terry knows these guys). My understanding was that H.c was much more common from the Great Plains south and east down into the FL panhandle, but that H.v actually has a more northern distribution and of course a ton of overlap between the two. Amphibiaweb actually has a really nice distribution map. AmphibiaWeb

[John]

You can't distinguish them by appearance. The only way to do it without genetic studies is by call, and most people have a hard time distinguishing the calls.

[Lacibeth]

You can't distinguish them by appearance. The only way to do it without genetic studies is by call, and most people have a hard time distinguishing the calls.

That's why I was asking. I've dealt w/ several people who had various "sure" ways of telling them apart visually.

[UncleChester]

That's why I was asking. I've dealt w/ several people who had various "sure" ways of telling them apart visually.

You've probably seen this but it's kinda interesting (no mention of data from Nebraska):

https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/...pdf?sequence=1

In some areas you can fairly reliably tell them apart with measurements of different body parts. The downside appears to be these measurements are performed on "preserved treefrogs", so I don't think there's much in for the frog.


Their toepads (and some other tiny things) are also somewhat different in size. If you have eyes capable of seeing down to the cellular level this would be field relevant. Unfortunately I've only found it on JSTOR so I can only read the first page and the link does work despite it reading like someone has taken away your Oreos:

JSTOR: An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie

Again, the first page mentions the "prepared" digits of the frogs. Not much in it for the frogs I'm guessing.



Edit- I'm not opposed to studies that aren't in the best interest of the subjects at hand if it gives a greater understanding of the species and they are conducted in a humane way, but I'm always reminded of this New Yorker cartoon/joke/story thingie when I imagine the fate of the subjects:

Shouts & Murmurs: Animal Tales : The New Yorker

[Lacibeth]

You've probably seen this but it's kinda interesting (no mention of data from Nebraska):

https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/bitstream/...pdf?sequence=1

In some areas you can fairly reliably tell them apart with measurements of different body parts. The downside appears to be these measurements are performed on "preserved treefrogs", so I don't think there's much in for the frog.


Their toepads (and some other tiny things) are also somewhat different in size. If you have eyes capable of seeing down to the cellular level this would be field relevant. Unfortunately I've only found it on JSTOR so I can only read the first page and the link does work despite it reading like someone has taken away your Oreos:

JSTOR: An Error Occurred Setting Your User Cookie

Again, the first page mentions the "prepared" digits of the frogs. Not much in it for the frogs I'm guessing.



Edit- I'm not opposed to studies that aren't in the best interest of the subjects at hand if it gives a greater understanding of the species and they are conducted in a humane way, but I'm always reminded of this New Yorker cartoon/joke/story thingie when I imagine the fate of the subjects:

Shouts & Murmurs: Animal Tales : The New Yorker

Ahh, but you see I'm a naturalist so of course I can see down to the cellular level. I can also identify every plant, animal, and fungus in the forest to the species/subspecies level and explain/translate the Latin name, as well as identify correctly every track or scat no matter how old it is, plus predict the weather for the next month so that I can precisely predict when the trees will begin abscission, and when the hard frost will kill all of the mosquitoes. I'm available to answer my phone 24/7 to explain what someone needs to do with the poor baby robin wandering around their yard, I can also identify over the phone the cultivated garden plant that's taking over your back yard. I'm a meanie though, so I won't share what magic bug spray I use to avoid the flying saucer sized mosquitoes. Oh, and I of course believe your report of a pika in your yard in eastern Nebraska.

At least, that's apparently what the public seems to think. I do love my job though, so I guess I shouldn't complain too much.