Breeding sites include ponds, swamps, marshes, and roadside ditches-even puddles that dry up during the warm months. Depending on location, treefrogs move into breeding sites from February (coastal areas) to July.Consequently the 'ribbit-ribbit' calls of this species have become the stereotypical frog call, even in areas where treefrogs don't occur. When Hollywood moviemakers wanted frog calls to convey the feeling of nighttime outdoors, they recorded treefrogs. A dry-land call made by male treefrogs away from their breeding ponds is a single-note Krr-r-r-ek. Male treefrogs call mainly in the evening and at night, although they often call sporadically during the day at the height of the breeding season. This calling stimulates other males to join in, and large concentrations of these frogs can be heard far away, especially on nights when air temperatures remain above 45 degrees. The 'song' or call of the male treefrog, designed to attract females, is a loud, two-part kreck-ek, or a ribbit, often repeated many times. A sharply defined black mask extends from the tip of its snout to its shoulder.

Adults measure 2 inches in length and vary in color from a bronze brown to a light lime green, and from solid in color to intricate patterns. The Pacific treefrog is an adaptable species found from rainforests near sea level, to mountains at 11,000 feet, and on into dry interior areas of Washington where water is available. 1) is the smallest but most commonly seen and heard frog in Washington, and for that reason much of this page is devoted to it. The Pacific treefrog (Pseudacris regilla, Fig. Over time, legs develop, the tail and gills are absorbed, and the frog becomes a terrestrial, air-breathing animal. Frogs start their lives as totally aquatic animals with gills and a pronounced tail fin this is familiar to many people as the tadpole stage. Amphibians (from the Greek words amphi, meaning 'both,' and bios or 'life') are fittingly named. Laura Rogersįrogs, along with salamanders and newts, are members of the animal group called amphibians. This color change is related to the temperature and amount of moisture in the air, not to the background color as is the case for most reptiles. Individual treefrogs can change color between green and brown tones in a few minutes. Monofilament recovery and recycling programįigure 1.

City dog and country frog