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Cope's Gray Tree Frog
Dryophytes chrysoscelis
Visually identical to the gray tree frog (H. versicolor), it is distinguished by its diploid chromosome number and a faster, more high-pitched trill in the male's call.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Hylidae
Subfamily:Hylinae
Genus:Dryophytes
Species:Dryophytes chrysoscelis
Formerly known as:Hyla chrysoscelis
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
50 - 80 %
Day temperature
22 - 26 °C
Night temperature
16 - 20 °C
Ambient temperature
22 - 26 °C
Minimum enclosure
>= 45 L
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Widely distributed throughout deciduous forests, temperate woodlands, and wooded swamps of eastern and central North America. It is a highly resilient arboreal frog that hibernates during winter beneath tree bark or fallen logs.
Taxonomy and Genetics: A member of the Hylidae family, commonly known as Cope's Gray Tree Frog. It is genetically diploid (two sets of chromosomes) and morphologically identical to the tetraploid Hyla versicolor, with the two species distinguishable in the wild only by the mating call of the males.
Behavior and Habits: Nocturnal and arboreal. During the day, they remain completely inactive, flattening themselves against tree branches where their lichen-like camouflage blends into the bark. At night, they become active to forage for insects.
Morphology: Adults reach a length of 4-5 cm. Mature females are larger and heavier than males. Males are smaller and possess a dark, loose vocal sac on the throat used to produce advertisement calls.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a vertically oriented terrarium (minimum 45x45x60 cm) furnished with climbing branches, thick cork bark, and live foliage such as Pothos. Provide a large, shallow water dish for soaking and hydration.
Lighting and Heating: Keep daytime temperatures between 22 and 26°C. Temperatures exceeding 28°C must be avoided. A significant night temperature drop to 16-20°C is highly beneficial. Provide 5% UVB lighting to ensure proper calcium synthesis.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain relative humidity between 60% and 80% with daily misting. Use dechlorinated or RO water. Proper ventilation is critical to prevent stagnant air and bacterial skin infections.
Feeding and Supplementation: Insectivorous. Feed on a variety of live insects such as crickets, flies, and small roaches. Dust prey items with high-quality calcium and vitamin D3 supplements three times a week.
Compatibility: Peaceful and highly gregarious. Can be safely housed in small groups of the same species. Do not house with smaller frogs that could be consumed, or with other species of amphibians.
Health and Common Diseases: Never handle with bare hands due to skin permeability. Prone to snout-rubbing injuries if stressed by open glass, and bacterial septicemia (Red Leg) from dirty water or substrate.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Widely distributed throughout deciduous forests, temperate woodlands, and wooded swamps of eastern and central North America. It is a highly resilient arboreal frog that hibernates during winter beneath tree bark or fallen logs.
Origin
North America
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- No verified data available
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Toxicity
- No verified data available
- Life stage
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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