*The colored areas of the map above represent parishes with currently known records for the given species (Source: Jeff Boundy, LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries). By no means does it represent the full range of the species in the state, nor does it necessarily mean that a species can be found throughout the parish with the record. This is provided as a guide to where you might be able to find these species in the state and to aid in identification. A descriptive explanation of the range of each species can be found in the text below.
Other Common Names:
Subspecies: No subspecies recognized.
Adult Description: A medium-sized (maximum 2.4”) stout-bodied treefrog with variable coloration of pale to medium gray or brownish gray, but sometimes greenish, particularly in juveniles. Expanded, adhesive toe pads used for climbing. Skin is bumpy compared to Bird-voiced Treefrogs which look similar. Often with darker lichen-like irregular markings between eyes, on middle of back, and on sides which extend upwards over shoulders through eardrum to eye. A prominent white or light green patch below each eye. Deep yellow to orange markings on rear of thighs, which is typically concealed when at rest. Belly is dull white.
Similar Species:
Species Range: Gray treefrog composite range (includes Cope’s Gray Treefrog and Gray Treefrog) is from southern Manitoba, Canada, east through extreme southern Canada to southern Maine, south to north Florida, west to central Texas, and north through eastern regions of Plains states.
Louisiana Range: West-central Louisiana in lower Sabine River drainage. Isolated and disjunct records from Allen, Evangeline, Iberville, and Lafourche parishes.
Adult Habitat: Forested areas, especially upland pine woodlands and bottomland hardwoods.
Natural History: Gray Treefrogs spend most of their time in shrubs and trees when not breeding. They are nocturnal in warm weather, using their camouflage during the day to blend in with limbs, trunks, or tree cavities. They eat a wide variety of insects, particularly beetles, as well as other arthropods. Predators are not reported, but likely include birds, snakes, and mammals. They breed from late March through July, possibly into August, in fishless ephemeral and semi-permanent pools and ponds, but may use permanent wetlands, especially if only nonpredatory fish are present. Females lay up to 2,600 eggs in packets up to 40 eggs in a film on water surface. Eggs hatch in 3–7 days and tadpoles metamorphose in 1.5–2 months. Maturity takes 1 year, at least in males. Wild longevity is unknown. A captive gray treefrog (specific species unknown) lived for over 7 years.
Call: A melodious trill, slower and lower-pitched than Cope’s Gray Treefrog, that lasts ˝–1 second and is repeated every few seconds.
Best Time and Place to Observe: Listen for their distinctive vocalizations at night in spring and early summer in appropriate habitats. Often, calling males as well as females are found around the breeding site.
Global Conservation Status: Gray Treefrogs have a relatively wide distribution in eastern North America (but mostly absent in the southeastern United States), a presumed large population, and tolerate a degree of habitat modification, and thus, are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Their NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank is G5 (Secure).
Federal Conservation Status: None.
Louisiana Conservation Status: Gray Treefrogs have a ranking of S3 (rare and local throughout the state – 21-100 known extant populations) in Louisiana.
*** If you live in the range of this species in Louisiana and believe you may have observed this species please let me know (take an audio recording if possible), as there may be more unknown populations in the state.***
Author's Remarks: I had never knowingly observed this species until finding the individual in the photos above calling in east Texas. In Louisiana, I have only heard the call of a Gray Treefrog at two locations, once calling from high in the trees during the day in Clear Creek WMA (formerly Boise-Vernon WMA) in Vernon Parish in 2009, and on a couple visits to Sam Houston Jones State Park in Calcasieu Parish in 2014.
