THE ANIMAL FILES

European tree frog

Hyla arborea

Toe discs connect a pond-breeding frog to life above the ground.

European tree frogs climb vegetation using expanded toe discs, yet return to standing water to breed. Colour can vary with conditions, and arthropod prey supports life among shrubs and other plants. The name “tree frog” does not remove the aquatic larval stage.[1]

Follow the evidence ↓
European tree frog
Image: Christian Fischer · Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Climbing
Expanded discs at the toes[1]
Foods
Small arthropods[1]
Breeding water
Ponds and other standing waters[1]

A grip on stems

Toe discs help the frog climb trees, hedges and other vegetation. Long hindlimbs also support jumping. Damp meadows, reed beds and woodland edges can supply a mixture of cover and feeding opportunities, rather than requiring a life permanently high in a closed forest canopy.[1]

A green frog can change

Dorsal colour can shift among green, grey and brownish tones with temperature, humidity and state. A dark lateral line separates the upper and pale lower body. This means a grey individual need not belong to a different species. Colour is one clue to be combined with structure and locality.[1]

From vegetation to a pond

Males call during the breeding period and can move between ponds. Eggs are laid in clumps in standing water; tadpoles develop before metamorphosing. Adults take insects and other small arthropods, including spiders. Their life therefore requires both usable terrestrial vegetation and aquatic breeding sites.[1]

A COMMON MIX-UP

Does “tree frog” mean it lays eggs only in trees?

No. This species breeds in standing water.[1]

TRY A LITTLE REASONING

Why would suitable shrubs alone not preserve its whole life cycle?

Reveal the explanation

Adults climb and feed there, but eggs and tadpoles also need breeding water.[1]

Sources & editorial notes

Adapted and translated from the cited Wikipedia revisions, with source-linked reasoning. Image credit and licence are listed separately above.

Adapted and translated from Wikipedia contributors; exact revisions are linked below. CC BY-SA 4.0

  1. Wikipedia contributors — Hyla arborea (adapted and translated; exact revision)
  2. NCBI Taxonomy — Hyla arborea (identity and game lineage)

Last fact check:

One discovery leads to another

red-eyed tree frogHatching early can escape one danger while entering another.Agalychnis callidryas ↗Common toadA quiet night walk leads back to a crowded breeding pond.Bufo bufo ↗Cane toadA toad with a remarkably broad menu.Rhinella marina ↗