Squirrel Treefrog
Dryophytes squirellus
The Squirrel Treefrog is a small native frog that changes color and calls loudly after warm Florida rains.
The Squirrel Treefrog is a small native frog that changes color and calls loudly after warm Florida rains.
A smooth-skinned treefrog that may be green, brown, gray, or mottled. It often has a pale upper-lip line, a dark bar between the eyes, and large adhesive toe pads.
Hides in vegetation, palm fronds, bark crevices, and outdoor fixtures by day. It hunts at night and breeds in shallow temporary water after heavy rain.
Harmless to people. Avoid unnecessary handling because amphibian skin absorbs oils and chemicals. Wash hands after contact.
Avoid collecting amphibians from protected lands. Preserve temporary breeding pools and follow current state and local wildlife rules.
Habitat:
Freshwater Wetlands, Lakes and Ponds, Forests and Woodlands, Urban and Residential Areas
Area / Range:
Statewide
Diet:
Ants, beetles, flies, moths, spiders, and other small invertebrates.
Behavior:
Hides in vegetation, palm fronds, bark crevices, and outdoor fixtures by day. It hunts at night and breeds in shallow temporary water after heavy rain.
Nighttime, Dusk
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Warm humid nights after rain near shrubs, porch lights, palms, and temporary pools
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Least Concern
Safety Level:
Safe to Observe
Safety Information:
Harmless to people. Avoid unnecessary handling because amphibian skin absorbs oils and chemicals. Wash hands after contact.
Benefits to Property:
Consumes small insects around plants and exterior lights and provides a useful indicator of moist habitat with lower pesticide exposure.
Property Concerns:
Breeding calls may be loud after rain. Frogs may shelter in planters, pool areas, or outdoor fixtures but do not damage property.
Fun Fact:
Its color may shift rapidly between green and brown. One call resembles a squirrel’s scolding sound.
Wildlife Laws:
Avoid collecting amphibians from protected lands. Preserve temporary breeding pools and follow current state and local wildlife rules.
Identification:
A smooth-skinned treefrog that may be green, brown, gray, or mottled. It often has a pale upper-lip line, a dark bar between the eyes, and large adhesive toe pads.