*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 small to medium-sized treefrog (maximum 1.9”) with highly variable coloration and pattern. Expanded, adhesive toe pads used for climbing. Skin is relatively smooth with a fine grainy texture. Typically a shade of brown or green, sometimes without pattern and sometimes with a pattern consisting of roundish or irregular markings on back. A less bold and clean-edged white or yellow stripe, when compared to Green Treefrogs, on sides extending from upper lip and passing under eardrum a variable distance towards groin. Green coloration not observed below this stripe unlike Green Treefrogs. Patterned individuals may possess a dark bar between eyes, a dark mask through eyes, and dark crossbars on limbs. Eardrum is usually brown, even in green individuals. In green individuals, green color usually ceases at hands and feet, unlike Green Treefrogs. Often yellow coloration in groin. Belly is white.
Similar Species:
Species Range: Coastal Plain from southeast Virginia, south to Florida Keys, west to coastal Texas.
Louisiana Range: Primarily southern half of Louisiana with scattered, possibly introduced, populations in northeast Louisiana. Seemingly absent from parts of central and northwest Louisiana.
Adult Habitat: Nearly all habitats except brackish and salt marshes.
Natural History: Squirrel Treefrogs are primarily nocturnal outside of occasional cloudy and rainy days and spend most of the daytime resting on vegetation or manmade structures. They eat a variety of insects and other arthropods. Predators are largely unknown but likely include snakes, birds, and mammals. They breed from mid-March to early October in a variety of ephemeral pools or wetlands but may sometimes use semi-permanent or permanent shallow wetlands. Females lay up to 2,000 eggs per season. They have been reportedly laid as a surface film, singly, or in small clumps on substrate. All may be true if surface film breaks up soon after laying into small clumps, and some of these clumps further break up into single eggs as they sink onto substrate or adhere to vegetation. Eggs hatch in 1–2 days and tadpoles metamorphose in about 1.5–2.5 months. Maturity likely takes just one year. Wild longevity is unknown, but a wild-caught adult lived 8.5 years in captivity.
Call: A nasal, buzzing ‘rrrak‘ given once or twice per second. Also known for their ‘rain calls’ which are weaker and raspier than advertisement calls. Rain calls are given during day away from breeding areas when rain is approaching. This call is likened to the scolding notes of gray squirrels.
Best Time and Place to Observe: This ‘treefrog’ is just as at home in low-lying herbaceous plants and shrubs as it is in trees. And they are comfortable living in most suburban situations. Look for this treefrog at night near artificial light on windows and walls in warmer months. They can also be found easily in spring on palmetto fronds in bottomland hardwoods, where they hide under overlapping fronds during the day and come out at night.
Global Conservation Status: Squirrel Treefrogs have a relatively wide distribution in the southeastern United States, a presumed large population, and tolerate a broad range of habitats, 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: Squirrel Treefrogs do not have any special status in Louisiana.
Author's Remarks: I have found this species routinely in many of the places I have herped in southern Louisiana, but they are most commonly observed by their calls during and after rain events.
