Tree frogs are small amphibians specially adapted to life in trees and other elevated habitats. Their lightweight bodies and long, flexible limbs make climbing effortless, allowing them to move easily among branches, leaves, and vines. This arboreal lifestyle helps them find food, shelter, and mates while avoiding many ground-dwelling predators.
One of their most distinctive features is their adhesive toe pads. These sticky pads allow them to cling to smooth surfaces like leaves or bark, giving them excellent grip for climbing and jumping. Their agility and precision make it possible to navigate the complex three-dimensional environment of the forest canopy.
Tree frogs often display vibrant colors and patterns. Some blend seamlessly with leaves or bark to camouflage themselves from predators, while others have bright, contrasting colors that serve as a warning about their toxicity. Their coloration can also play a role in attracting mates during the breeding season.
Vocalizations are another hallmark of these amphibians. Males produce calls to attract females or defend territory, with sounds ranging from soft trills to loud croaks. These calls are especially important in dense forests where visibility is limited, allowing individuals to communicate over long distances.
Their diet mainly consists of insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates. Some species may also consume small fruits or nectar, taking advantage of available resources in the trees. They often hunt by ambushing prey from a hidden perch, using their keen eyesight and quick reflexes to capture it.
Types of Tree Frogs
American Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea)
Found in: The southeastern United States.
This bright green, smooth-skinned frog is a common sight in swamps, marshes, and along the edges of lakes. It is known for its docile nature, loud, bell-like call, and its ability to change color slightly based on temperature and environment.
Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas)
Found in: The rainforests of Central America.
Arguably the most iconic tree frog, this species is famous for its stunning coloration: vibrant green body, blue-and-yellow striped sides, and brilliant red eyes. This “startle coloration” helps it ward off predators when it flashes its eyes and colors after jumping.
White’s Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea)
Found in: Australia and New Guinea.
Also known as the Dumpy Tree Frog, this species is a popular pet due to its docile temperament and chubby, placid appearance. It has a blue-green color, a chubby body, and a permanent “smile.” It secretes a waxy substance to help reduce water loss.
Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolor)
Found in: Eastern North America.
A master of camouflage, this frog has rough, warty skin that can change color from gray to green to match its surroundings. It has bright yellow-orange patches on its inner thighs, which it flashes to startle predators.
Gliding Tree Frog (Agalychnis spurrelli)
Found in: The rainforests of Central and South America.
This frog has extensive webbing between its toes that allows it to glide or “parachute” from tree to tree to escape predators or move through the canopy. It is a spectacular example of arboreal adaptation.
Cuban Tree Frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis)
Found in: Cuba, the Bahamas, and the Cayman Islands, and invasive in Florida and other Caribbean islands.
A large, voracious species known for its adaptability. It has large toe pads and can vary in color. It is considered an invasive pest in Florida, where it outcompetes and even eats native frogs.
Amazon Milk Frog (Trachycephalus resinifictrix)
Found in: The Amazon Rainforest in South America.
This large, robust frog is known for its beautiful pattern of brown and blue bands and its striking blue bones, visible through its skin. When stressed, it can secrete a milky, mildly toxic substance, giving it its common name.
Barking Tree Frog (Hyla gratiosa)
Found in: The southeastern United States.
A plump, robust frog with rough, spotted skin that provides excellent camouflage against tree bark. Its call is a loud, hollow “donk” or “bark” that can be heard from a great distance during the breeding season.
Vietnamese Mossy Frog (Theloderma corticale)
Found in: Northern Vietnam.
An incredible example of camouflage, this frog has bumpy, green and black skin that perfectly mimics a patch of moss growing on a rock. When frightened, it curls into a ball and plays dead, looking like an inanimate lump of moss.
Waxy Monkey Tree Frog (Phyllomedusa sauvagii)
Found in: The Gran Chaco region of South America.
This unique frog has an upright posture and walks slowly and deliberately like a monkey, rather than hopping. It secretes a waxy lipid that it spreads over its skin to prevent water loss, allowing it to tolerate direct sun in its arid habitat.
White-lipped Tree Frog (Litoria infrafrenata)
Found in: The rainforests of northern Australia and New Guinea.
This is the world’s largest tree frog. It is bright green with a distinctive white stripe along its lower lip that extends to the shoulder. It has an incredibly loud, barking call.
Blue-sided Tree Frog (Agalychnis annae)
Found in: The montane forests of Costa Rica.
A stunning relative of the red-eyed tree frog, this species has vibrant green skin with brilliant blue and yellow flanks. Its large, orange-red eyes make it another jewel of the rainforest.
Mission Golden-eyed Tree Frog (Trachycephalus coriaceus)
Found in: The Amazon Basin of South America.
Also known as the Blue Milk Frog, this species has a beautiful marbled pattern and distinctive golden irises. Like its relative, it can secrete a milky, toxic substance when threatened.
Morelet’s Tree Frog (Agalychnis moreletii)
Found in: Southern Mexico through Central America.
This beautiful frog is known for its striking contrast: a vibrant green body with a dark burgundy or black underside and orange-red eyes. It is critically endangered in parts of its range.
Pine Barrens Tree Frog (Hyla andersonii)
Found in: Scattered, sandy, acidic wetland habitats (pine barrens) in New Jersey, the Carolinas, and Florida in the United States.
A small, brilliantly colored frog with a lavender stripe bordered by white on its sides and vibrant green skin. It is a rare and localized species.
Fringe-leaf Tree Frog (Cruziohyla craspedopus)
Found in: The upper Amazonian rainforests of South America.
An elusive and spectacular frog with extensive fringes along its limbs and a stunning mottled pattern of greens, blues, and browns that mimics lichen-covered bark.
Splendid Leaf Frog (Cruziohyla calcarifer)
Found in: The humid lowland forests of eastern Honduras through Ecuador.
A large, breathtaking frog with a vibrant yellow and black flank, a green dorsal surface, and distinctive “spurs” on its heels. It is a canopy-dwelling species that rarely descends to the ground.
Black-eyed Leaf Frog (Agalychnis moreletii)
Found in: Southern Mexico through Central America.
This beautiful frog is known for its striking contrast: a vibrant green body with a dark burgundy or black underside and orange-red eyes. It is critically endangered in parts of its range.
Tiger-legged Monkey Frog (Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis)
Found in: Northern South America.
A smaller relative of the waxy monkey frog, it shares the same slow, walking gait. It has a brilliant green back and striking orange and black tiger-like stripes on its flanks and legs.
Canyon Tree Frog (Hyla arenicolor)
Found in: The rocky canyons and streams of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
A master of camouflage, its rough, warty, gray or brown skin perfectly matches the granite and sandstone rocks it inhabits. It is known for its loud, duck-like call.
Giant Monkey Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor)
Found in: The Amazon Basin of South America.
A large relative of the waxy monkey frog. It is famous for its secretion, known as “sapo” or “kambo,” which is used in traditional shamanic rituals for its purgative and psychoactive effects.
Spiny-headed Tree Frog (Anotheca spinosa)
Found in: The humid montane forests of Central America.
This unique frog is easily identified by the bony, pointed projections on its head and the intricate, network-like pattern on its back. It often breeds in water-filled tree holes or bamboo internodes.
Reticulated Glass Frog (Hyalinobatrachium valerioi)
Found in: The humid lowland forests of Central America and northwestern South America.
A stunning example of a glass frog, its ventral skin is completely transparent, revealing its beating heart, bones, and internal organs. The dorsal surface is a vibrant lime green with yellow spots.
Map Tree Frog (Boana geographica)
Found in: The Amazon Basin and the Guiana Shield in South America.
This large tree frog gets its name from the intricate, map-like pattern of dark lines and spots on its back. It is a common species in flooded forests and is known for its loud, repetitive call.
Hourglass Tree Frog (Dendropsophus ebraccatus)
Found in: Southern Mexico through Central America to northwestern South America.
A small, beautifully patterned frog. It is typically pale yellow or cream-colored with a distinctive, dark brown hourglass-shaped marking on its back. It breeds in temporary ponds and swamps.