Tree frog or tree frog (arboreal) is a frog that belongs to the phylum Chordata, class Amphibians (amphibians), order Tailless, family tree frog (lat. Hylidae).
The family received its Latin name due to its unusual colorful appearance. The first researchers compared these unusual animals with beautiful tree nymphs, which is reflected in its verbal definition. The Russian concept of “frog” appeared, apparently, because of the characteristic loud voice of the amphibian.
Tree frog (tree frog) – description, structure, characteristics.
Due to the fact that the tree frog family includes great amount species, the appearance of these amphibians is very diverse. Some tree frogs are characterized by a flattened body structure with legs similar to knotty twigs, other tree frogs have an external resemblance to small frogs, and still others have a flabby body, as if slightly blurred. However characteristic feature, inherent in almost all species, is the presence of peculiar suction disks on the tips of the fingers, covered with a thin layer of mucus.
Thanks to the vacuum that forms under the surface of the disks as a result of the displacement of air from under them, the tailless tree frog easily moves not only along the trunks, branches and leaves of plants, but also along any smooth surface, including vertical ones. Large woodies can help themselves with the moist skin of their abdomen or throat when moving along steep planes. However, there are species of tree frogs with poorly developed suction ability. It is compensated by the special structure of the fingers on the hind and forelimbs, reminiscent of a human hand with an extended thumb. Such frogs slowly climb trees, one at a time grabbing branches.
The color of tree frogs depends on the species and can be very diverse. Most of them are characterized by camouflage coloring in green or brownish tones with various stains, which helps the frog to easily hide among twigs and leaves. However, there are species of tree frogs that are brightly colored with contrasting stripes or spots.
The eyes of tree frogs are large and protrude slightly forward, thanks to this they achieve binocular coverage of the surrounding environment, allowing them to successfully hunt and jump from branch to branch. Most amphibians are characterized by horizontal pupils, although there are species in which they are located vertically.
Sexual dimorphism in woodworts is manifested in differences in the sizes of male and female individuals, which are much larger than males, and sometimes in color. In addition, the male tree frog has a special organ called the throat sac, which, when inflated, makes sounds.
Where does the tree frog (tree frog) live?
The distribution range of tree frogs is fascinating temperate zone Europe, including Poland, the Netherlands, Norway and Lithuania, Belarus and Romania, central part Russia and Moldova, as well as Ukraine. Numerous species tree frogs live in Northern and South America, China and Korea, Morocco, Tunisia, Sudan and Egypt, Turkey, Japan, Primorye and Australia. The habitat of these amphibians is tropical and subtropical rainforests, deciduous and mixed plantations, as well as the coasts of reservoirs or slow rivers, wetlands and overgrown ravines.
What do tree frogs (frogs) eat?
The food of tree frogs is varied: tree frogs feed on various, and, as well as and. Amphibians usually go hunting at night. They wait in ambush for prey and catch it using the properties of their vision and a long sticky tongue.
Types of tree frogs (tree frogs) - photos and names.
The large tree frog family is divided into 3 subfamilies, which include more than 900 species. The most famous and interesting of them:
Subfamily Hylinae:
- widespread on the coasts of small bodies of water or lazy rivers, in flooded ditches and wetlands in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The size of an adult male tree frog does not exceed 1.9 cm, and females - 3.8 cm. The skin of the back and sides, covered with warts, is colored gray-brown with yellowish-green hues and dark spots indeterminate form. The tree frog's abdomen is decorated with bright green or brown stripes, and on its elongated muzzle a dark triangle-shaped spot located between the eyes is clearly visible. The hind limbs of the amphibian are relatively short with long toes connected by a swimming membrane. The sounds of the male tree frog during the breeding season resemble the sound of small stones knocking against each other. These amphibians lead an active daily lifestyle. In case of danger, they can jump up to 0.9 m in height.
- Cricket tree frog (lat.Acris gryllus) lives in North America near small reservoirs, wet ravines overgrown with dense grassy vegetation, as well as swampy streams and river sources. The skin of the tree frog, devoid of warts, is colored brown or gray-brown with dark, almost black spots, which are bordered by a light green rim. In females, a white spot on the throat is clearly visible. A distinctive feature of this type of tree frog is the ability to change color, adapting to the environment. The toes of the frog's long hind limbs are connected to each other by a swimming membrane. The body length of adult females can reach 33 mm, and males - 29 mm. The lifespan of a cricket tree frog in natural conditions rarely exceeds 1 year. The trees lead single image life, going to large clusters only during the breeding season. Due to the similarity of the frog's voice with the roulades of crickets, the name “cricket tree frog” appeared.
- lives in humid tropical forests South America, included in ecological system Amazon basin. These frogs can be found in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Suriname, Peru, Guiana, as well as Ecuador and Bolivia. The size of female individuals of this species of frogs can be 5 cm, but males have more modest dimensions. The frog's head with large bulging eyes is slightly expanded compared to its elongated, narrow body. The long fingers on the hind and forelimbs end in well-developed suckers. The color of the skin on the back and sides of the piebald tree frog is quite varied and can range from greenish-brown to red with a brown tint. On the main tone, patterns of white spots or stripes are clearly visible, creating characteristic mesh patterns. The belly of piebald tree frogs is colored bright red. Orange color. Solitary individuals spend the main part of their lives in trees, descending from them only during the breeding season. Piebald tree frogs are most active during twilight and night hours.
- lives in the forests and forest-steppes of Poland, the Netherlands, Belarus, Norway, Lithuania and Ukraine, the USA, Korea, Turkey and Japan, the states of northwestern Africa, China and Primorye. The size of adult female frogs reaches 53 mm, males are slightly smaller. The grass-green, brown, bluish or dark gray coloration of the tree frog's back and sides can easily change in accordance with the basic color of the surrounding environment or due to the physiological state of the animal. Belly common tree frog painted in white or yellowish tones. The coloration of the back and abdomen is clearly separated by a dark stripe running along the sides of the body and head. Tree frogs usually spend daytime hours among the foliage of bushes or trees, and at dusk and at night they hunt insects. Under natural conditions, these frogs live no more than 12 years.
- widespread in southern North America. Prefers tree or shrub thickets along the coast of natural and artificial reservoirs, as well as wet ravines or wetlands. The frog's body is slender, with a triangular head. Its length in adult females can reach 60 mm. The frog's eyes are medium-sized, slightly convex, golden brown in color, with vertical pupils. The smooth skin of the back is colored in a grass-like green color and are separated from the beige belly by a thin white stripe. At the ends of the fingers of the frog's hind and forelimbs there are suction cups, with the help of which the tree frog easily moves not only along branches and leaves, but also along the surface of the ground. The amphibian leads a solitary lifestyle, gathering in large communities only during mating. It is active at night. The lifespan of a frog in natural conditions can reach 6 years.
- is a typical inhabitant of the forest thickets of North America. The length of the frog's baggy body can reach 7 cm in females and 5 cm in males. The yellowish belly contrasts with the back, colored green, on which a pattern formed by dark green spots is clearly visible. The finger suckers are quite large. The tree frog gets its name from the barking sounds that male frogs make during mating season. Most Barking tree frogs spend their lives among the branches, high above the ground, but there are individuals that prefer to live near bodies of water. Amphibians are active at night, and during the day they sleep, hiding in a hollow tree or on the ground under fallen bark. Barking tree frogs form short-term pairs only for procreation. Under natural conditions, frogs live 7 years.
- lives in mixed or deciduous forests of Mexico, Canada or the USA. Populations of these amphibians are observed near artificial or natural reservoirs and deep damp ravines. The size of frogs does not exceed 51 mm. The color of the wrinkled skin of the back can be either gray with a beige tint or green, and the belly can be white. A pattern in the form of an oblique cross of black stripes, which border barely noticeable spots of an indeterminate shape, clearly appears on the tree frog’s back. It is noteworthy that depending on the ambient temperature, humidity and time of year, the color of the variable tree frog can vary greatly. The average life expectancy of variable tree frogs does not exceed 6 years.
- Cuban tree frog (lat.Osteopilus septentrionalis) - This is the largest tree frog in the world. It lives in bushes and woody thickets near water bodies. The distribution area includes the Bahamas and Cayman Islands, Cuba and the southern states of the United States. The average size of these frogs ranges from 11.5 to 12.5 cm, but some individuals can reach 15 cm in size, making them the largest tree frogs in the family. The color of the skin of the back, covered with tubercles, is slightly different in males and females. Thus, female tree frogs are characterized by beige or green tones, and males are characterized by brown tones. The tree frog's legs have transverse stripes of a lighter or darker color. Suckers on the fingers are well developed. The Cuban tree frog hunts at night, sleeping during the day among the bushes.
Subfamily Australian tree frogs or litoria (lat. Pelodryadinae):
- Coral-fingered lithorium or Australian white tree frog (lat.Litoria caerulea) lives in subtropical forests Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia. The size of adult females reaches 130 mm, and males rarely exceed 70 mm. The head of the Australian tree frog is short and wide, with large bulging eyes with a horizontal pupil. The frog's skin is colored in various shades of green, but can be chestnut or turquoise, with white or golden spots. The belly is colored pinkish or white. Interior The tree frog's legs may have a reddish-brown color. In addition to suction cups, amphibians have small membranes on their toes. The Australian white tree frog is characterized by a nocturnal lifestyle. The lifespan of coral-toed lithoria in natural conditions can reach 20 years.
SubfamilyPhyllomedusinae:
- lives on the upper tiers of lowland and foothill humid tropical forests Central and South America. The size of adult males rarely reaches 5.4-5.6 cm, and females do not exceed 7.5 cm. The surface of the skin is smooth. The frog's back is green and its belly is cream or white. The sides and bases of the limbs are blue, with a distinct yellow pattern. The toes of the limbs, adapted for climbing trees, are painted bright orange and have suction pads. Characteristic feature The red-eyed tree frog has red eyes with a vertical pupil. Despite their bright colors, these tree frogs are not poisonous. They are most active at night. The maximum lifespan of the red-eyed tree frog under natural conditions does not exceed 5 years.
The world's largest and smallest tree frog (tree frog).
The smallest “forest nymphs” are considered to be Litoria microbelos with a body length of up to 16 mm and the tree frog Hyla emrichi (Dendropsophus minutus), with a body size of only about 17 mm. It is noteworthy that this baby is capable of jumping up to 0.75 m in length, which is almost 50 times the length of its body.
The largest tree frog in the world is the Cuban tree frog (lat. Osteopilus septentrionalis), growing up to 150 mm.
In addition to the above types of tree frogs, there are a huge number of varieties of tree frogs, the color of which is simply amazing:
Chak phyllomedusa Phyllomedusa sauvagii
The common tree frog is a small and graceful frog of the family of tailless amphibians. It has long limbs and shiny skin of interesting colors.
Description
As a rule, the tree frog is green in color. Its length varies from 2 to 15 cm. Usually their colors are very bright, and the body is decorated with small elements and spots different colors. They have large eyes and unusual fingers with webbed or other features of physiology. 
Habitat in nature
There are approximately 3.5 thousand species in the world, including 19 families and more than 250 genera. The habitat is concentrated in Eurasia, the tropics of Australia and America, as well as in other countries found depending on the type of frog. Some representatives are found in the Caucasus, Ukraine, Russia and the Far East. However, their appearance in the Arctic and Antarctica is excluded.
Frog family, species for terrarium
There are several types of them that get along well in a terrarium. Conditions for caring for them depend on the variety. Let's look at some of them.
Bright-eyed tree frogs (Agalychnis)
There are 8 species of tree frogs belonging to the genus Bright-eyed tree frogs, and red-eyed tree frog is one of them. It reaches a length of 7.5 cm. Living in nature, it prefers to live in the middle or upper tiers of trees. The main color of green allows it to camouflage perfectly among the leaves. The bases of the legs and sides of the frog are blue with a yellow pattern, the toes are orange. 
A distinctive feature of this species is its red eyes. This species eats various natural inhabitants, such as insects, small lizards, arachnids, etc. Their breeding season can last throughout the year - this is due to their habitat in the tropics.
Important! Do not place sharp objects or heating elements in the cage as this could cause injury to the frog. If this happens, it is necessary to treat the wound with a solution of dioxidine and streptocide.
To keep a tree frog at home, you can choose a small terrarium and plant it with vines and other non-thorny plants. Humidity conditions should be adhered to, implying values above 75% and a temperature of 30°C. For lighting conditions it is better to choose fluorescent lamps. You can feed the frog flies, crickets and other insects. In addition, you can offer the animal a small mouse or reptile.
Tree Frogs (Hyla): Blue Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea)
The blue tree frog reaches a length of 4-5 cm. Living in nature, it prefers to live on the shore of a reservoir, as well as in bushes and near coastal thickets of grass. The main color is grassy green. The back and belly of the animal are separated by a bright white stripe, starting from the middle of the frog's snout. In males, the throat sac is especially developed, and at the tips of the paws there are round-shaped suckers; the hind paws have small membranes. This species, like others, prefers to eat insects, as well as lizards and arachnids. 
Did you know? Goliath is considered the largest frog in the world; its weight reaches 3 kg and its height is 90 cm.
A vertical terrarium is suitable for keeping blue tree frogs at home. You can arrange it with the help of living plants and a relief background made of plastic or tree bark. It is necessary to set the air temperature in it to 20-25°C and create conditions of high humidity, as well as organize a spacious drinking bowl. For this type of frog, group keeping is acceptable.
Australian tree frogs (Litoria)
The Australian tree frog is one of the largest tree frogs. It reaches 15 cm in length, but males can be 7 cm smaller. Although males are smaller in size than females, they have pronounced muscles, and on the forelimbs there is a so-called “nuptial callus”, which has a dark color. This amphibian is accustomed to living in both dry and humid environments, but it prefers lowland forests. Its extravagant color is capable of changing colors, adapting to the background of the environment. So, in the daytime, the Australian tree frog can change color to black. 
Appearance has distinctive features in the form of small white or golden spots, the throat and belly are pink or white. The base color varies from bright to dark shades of green. In addition, both turquoise and brown colors are found. Let us describe in more detail the elements of color and physiology of the amphibian. The inner side of its thigh is painted in purple shades, and on the shoulder and sides there are white spots with a dark border. Typically, the voice of this frog can be heard from April to September. And you can notice that the female’s voice sounds more shrill than the male’s.
Did you know? Research by scientists shows that the Australian tree frog is able to regulate the amount of water that evaporates through its skin. This allows her to control body temperature.
Note that Litoria reproduces in the summer months during the rainy season. During this period, the male's nuptial callus increases in size in order to be able to capture the female during intercourse. The process of laying eggs takes several days. One clutch, as a rule, contains 150-300 eggs. The eggs reach sizes of 1.1-1.4 mm. 
This species adapts perfectly to keeping at home, as it has a tame nature. Frogs are not afraid of people and are active around the clock, which can be regulated using lighting. The amphibian feeds on moths, locusts, cockroaches and other insects. The frog can live 14-16 years. However, there is a case in California where a frog lived to be 21 years old. It is necessary to spray the terrarium every day and moisten its bottom to recreate the humidity that is characteristic of the frog’s natural habitat. It is better to use expanded clay or coarse gravel as a floor covering. Wooden structures in the form of driftwood, which can be placed both vertically and horizontally, will also not be out of place.
West Indian (Caribbean) tree frogs (Osteopilus)
There are 8 species of tree frogs belonging to the Caribbean tree frog genus. They are kept in vertical terrariums, which can be decorated at your discretion using driftwood, vines and other plants. Hygroscopic soil, coconut chips, sphagnum or ordinary soil are placed at the bottom. A layer of crushed bark will help keep the frog clean. 
A spacious pond in the center of the terrarium will be just the thing for an amphibian. Optimal temperature is +22-24°C at night and up to +28°C during the day. The diet of the West Indian tree frog should include insects, including crickets, mealworms, wax moth larvae and others.
Toad frogs (Phrynohyas)
This species lives in the rain forests of the Amazon, Brazil, and off the coast of the Andes and is distinguished by an unusual ash-blue skin tone. Brown stripes located on top of the main color make it easy to camouflage in lichen, on the trunks of plants and trees, in grass and mud. Amphibians have a textured, pearl-colored coating. Their fingers are located freely and do not have membranes. The eyes are large, widely spaced and raised above the muzzle. The amphibian has a turquoise mucous membrane. 
It lives in trees and feeds on Turkmen marble cockroaches, however, at home, you can limit yourself to cockroaches or other insects from the pet store. Suitable for adults room temperature and keeping in a terrarium, the bottom of which is 5 cm filled with water. These toads are otherwise called “harlequins” and “prisoners.”
A frightened individual of this species is capable of leaving sticky mucus, characterized by a pungent chemical odor - when it comes into contact with a person’s mucous membrane, it causes a burning sensation. In this regard, it is advisable to follow the safety rules for contact with it and be sure to wash your hands afterward. You can use regular gloves.
Phyllomedusa
Being one of the largest individuals representing the genus of tree frogs, it reaches the following sizes: the length of the male is 9-10 cm, the length of the female is 11-12 cm. It lives in the Amazon, in the north of Bolivia and in Brazil, in the east of Peru, in the southeast Colombia, Guyana. When choosing a habitat, this species prefers savannah and forests. 
Important! Phyllomedusa venom can cause hallucinations and gastrointestinal upset.
If this species is kept in a home terrarium, its color becomes bright after 2 months. Reaches sexual maturity at the age of 6-10 months.
Tree frog lifestyle
Tree frogs are nocturnal animals. Thus, during the daytime and during dry periods, they sit on the undersides of leaves or sleep on the tops of trees. Due to the fact that their eyelids have a base color, they are able to camouflage themselves while sleeping. At night, bright red eyes are better able to see prey, so the amphibian begins its hunt at this time of day. Physically developed muscles allow him to make very long jumps and catch prey in a timely manner. 
Despite the fact that the tree frog is a fairly active animal, swims beautifully and is distinguished by extraordinary acrobatic abilities, it spends most of its time in a stationary state. This is due to the camouflage functions, because only by limiting your movements and having a suitable covering can you merge with environment. Some tree frogs, living in cool areas, can go underground, creating a home for themselves in a hollow, under a stone, in a hole or at the bottom of a reservoir. However, during the active season they get out.
There are several ways to keep frogs. Terrarium is the best option for this purpose in the conditions of apartment living. You can choose a horizontal or vertical type, based on the type of amphibian that will live there. It should be placed near a wall to avoid direct sunlight.
Did you know? Sometimes the tree frog molts, shedding its skin and instantly eating it.
The terrarium must be equipped with a lid with ventilation. In addition, it must have fluorescent lamps. 
To increase the temperature, you can use a special mat, which is mounted from the outside to the bottom of the container. At the same time, you should not occupy its entire area with a heating element in order to give your pet the opportunity to avoid overheating. Placing such a device inside a vessel is extremely dangerous!
Terrarium and decorations
Every owner of such an unusual pet would like to make his home as comfortable and beautiful as possible. To begin with, soil is poured onto the bottom of the container and a pond is organized. A wooden driftwood found on the street is suitable as a vertical decoration, and if the size of the terrarium allows, you can place a stump with a hollow in it. 
In addition, we should not forget about the direct landscaping of the habitat. For this, vines, grass, ferns and other plants are used. Such accessories can be purchased at a pet store or ordered online. Don't forget to regularly clean the glass and the inside of your pet's home. This will help prevent the occurrence of diseases and improve living conditions.
Temperature
The tree frog loves warmth and moisture, so to keep it, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of 20 to 30 ° C, depending on the species and time of day. You should not allow the amphibian to become hypothermic or overheated: this can have a detrimental effect on its skin and vital processes.
Priming
For some decorative elements of the terrarium, such as the floor, you can use ordinary soil, sand or gravel. A special substrate can also be purchased at the store. Since the common tree frog prefers to sit on dry land, it needs to be hydrated regularly. 
Feeding tree frogs
The main diet consists of insects that fly or crawl around - flies, butterflies, mosquitoes, cockroaches, crickets, etc. In addition, she can hunt aquatic life. This is facilitated by the sticky tip of the frog's long tongue. At home, treats should be given in the morning and evening.
Shared housing with other inhabitants
The main problem with housing together is that the inhabitants can eat each other. To avoid this, it is necessary to have species of the same size. In addition, the conditions of detention they require must be the same. 
Poisonous representatives should not be housed in the same housing as other species. Snakes would also be inappropriate, since caring for them is fundamentally different from caring for toads. But lizards, for example, get along well with frogs.
Breeding
For creating necessary conditions reproduction, it is necessary to organize a pond with standing water, shrubs and tall plants. The males climb on them and begin to sing mating songs. The female, as a rule, lays from 3 to 21 portions of eggs. From the age of 8 months, the frog is capable of reproduction and lays its eggs in the tops of tree stumps or in hollows. The future offspring are covered with a special shell. During the process, amphibians croak loudly. 
After 12-15 hours, the beginning of embryo development can be observed. A few days after this, they transform into tadpoles and begin active movement. In this case, it is necessary to observe the density of their content. So, for 1 tadpole there should be 3-5 liters of water. Its temperature should be 24-26°C. You can feed tadpoles with cod liver, scalded nettle, as well as special food for aquarium fish. With plenty of food, they will grow quickly and already at the age of 1 month will reach 3-4 cm.
Enemies
In conditions wildlife The strict laws of the food chain apply, so the tree frog can become prey for some animals living in the same area. Thus, its enemies can be considered snakes, large lizards, birds, praying mantises, monitor lizards, pheasants, ducks, raccoons, storks, herons, badgers and others. Before you get such an unusual pet, you should think about arranging its housing, and also organize it optimally. comfortable conditions for an amphibian. Subsequently, he will need regular nutrition, suitable lighting, humidity and other maintenance elements.
- Class: Amphibia = Amphibians
- Order: Anura Rafinesque, 1815 = Tailless amphibians (amphibians)
- Family: Hylidae Gray, 1825 = Frogs, tree frogs, wood frogs
- Genus: Acris Dumeril et Bibron = Cricket tree frogs
Family Frogs (Hylidae)
The tree frog family (Hylidae) is one of the largest families, 579 species of which are combined into 34 genera.
Inhabits Europe, Southwest and Southeast Asia, North Africa, Australia and adjacent islands, South and North America. The vast majority of amphibians belonging to the tree frog family have expanded discs at the ends of their fingers, which help the animal stick when moving along vertical planes. These discs are rich in lymphatic spaces and mucous glands. Attachment to the substrate is stronger, the more less air between it and the disk. Special muscles enable the discs to become flatter and press more tightly against the surface along which the animal moves. Usually, attachment to the substrate also occurs through the skin of the belly and throat.
The genus Hyla, the most extensive in the number of species of all genera in the class of amphibians, belongs specifically to the tree frog family. It unites tree frogs themselves, or tree frogs, belonging to 450 various types a wide variety of sizes - from 17 to 135 mm. Its representatives are distributed in all parts of the world except tropical Asia and Africa. Tree frogs are especially numerous in South America and Australia.
Tree frogs from the genus Phyllomedusa live in Central and South America (30 species). They are always painted green on top. The same parts of the body that are not visible when sitting are often bright: orange, red and purple. Phyllomedusae are usually thin and look hungry. They all have a short, blunt nose and huge eyes, to which the whitish iris gives a mysterious expression. At night the eyes appear completely black 
due to wide open pupils. All phyllomedusae have true grasping paws, due to the fact that the first finger of the fore and hind limbs can be opposed to the rest. On level ground they run like toads, at a pace, but at legs outstretched, so that the belly is raised 1-2 cm from the ground. They do not go into the water of their own free will; they are very helpless in it and strive to get out as quickly as possible. Swimming membranes are poorly developed or completely absent. The pads at the ends of the fingers, which promote adhesion, are also poorly developed. They live in the crown tall trees and they climb beautifully on thin branches and leaves. They are capable of jumping, but jumping is not typical for them. In terms of their movement patterns, phyllojellyfish resemble chameleons. Their movements are slow, smooth and careful. The phyllomedusa probes the air with its front leg for a long time until it finds a branch to grab onto, then the animal pulls up the opposite hind leg and again reaches forward with its other more harmful paw. It is impossible to tear a phyllomedusa from a branch without damaging its leg. All representatives of this genus are nocturnal or crepuscular. The motionless phyllomedusa grabs prey with a quick flick of its long, sticky tongue.
These animals do not even go into the water to lay eggs. She 
a leaf is wrapped or laid between two or more leaves, sticking together thanks to the sticky egg shells. Thus, a female Ph. ready to lay eggs. hypochondrialis, carrying a male on its back, climbs onto a leaf hanging over the water. Then the male and female hold the adjacent edges of the leaf with their hind legs. The female lays eggs in the tube thus formed, and the male fertilizes them. Then the animals crawl a little further, and this continues until the entire sheet is filled with eggs. Approximately 100 eggs laid by one female. Fits in two leaves. The eggs are very large and rich in yolk. Development is happening quickly. On the 3rd day, external gills appear in the embryo, on the 5th; they reach their greatest development, and by the time the tadpole hatches, they atrophy. 
The hatched tadpole, transparent as glass, showing only very large green eyes with a metallic tint, falls into the water, where it completes its development. Six weeks after laying eggs, the larva reaches 80 mm in length; It is shiny green above, silvery and pinkish-red below. By the end of the transformation, the young animal has already reached 2/3 of the length of its parents. They breed in January.
Representatives of another genus of marsupial tree frogs (Gastrotheca, 20 species) appearance are not much different from real tree frogs (Hyla), but they are characterized by extreme interesting way caring for the offspring. Females of this species have a special skin pocket on their back - a brood pouch, in which they carry eggs. http://www.floranimal.ru/families/2267.html
3.1 Least Concern:
Common tree frog, or arboreal(lat. Hyla arborea) - a frog from the genus of tree frogs up to 5 cm long.
Appearance
Tree frogs are small frogs with maximum length body 53 mm (in Europe up to 60 mm). The color is very variable and can change literally before our eyes, depending on the color of the substrate and the physiological state. The top is grassy green to dark grey, bluish or brown. Along the sides of the head and body there is a dark stripe with a white border on top, which forms a loop near the groin area. The bottom is white or yellowish. Males have a dark throat.
Area
They are found in most of Central and Western Europe (with the exception of southern Spain and southern France), in the north the border reaches Great Britain (introduced here), the northwestern part of the Netherlands, and Norway. In the east, the border runs through northwestern Latvia, Belarus, and the regions of Russia bordering eastern Ukraine ( Belgorod region). In Ukraine it is distributed almost throughout the entire territory, but largest number in Polesie and forest-steppes. Distributed in forest areas of Crimea. IN steppe zone found on river banks.
Reproduction
In the spring, tree frogs awaken in late March - early April, in Moldova in the first ten days of April, in the Carpathians and Crimea in April-May, in the Caucasus in early March, at an air temperature of 8-12 ° C. Sometimes they have to overcome up to 750 m to get into a pond. The males that arrive first are concentrated along the edge of the reservoir. For reproduction, various well-heated reservoirs with standing water and vegetation are used. These can be small bodies of water in clearings or forest edges, puddles, swamps, reclamation ditches, shallow coastal parts of lakes. Tree frogs do not lay eggs in rivers and other flowing bodies of water. Intense nocturnal concerts staged by males can continue until the end of May.
Spawning occurs at a water temperature of 13°C. The female lays about 690-1870 eggs in several portions in the form of small lumps (in Moldova there are 15-21 lumps of 21-56 eggs each). The clutches lie at the bottom of the reservoir or are attached to plants. The spawning period is extended and lasts from the beginning of April to the end of July, in the Caucasus from the end of March to May. The diameter of the egg with shell is 3-4.5 mm, the egg is 1.0-1.6 mm. Embryonic development lasts about 8-14 days. The size of the larvae after hatching is 8-9 mm. Larval development lasts 45-90 days. Before metamorphosis, tadpoles reach a length of 46-49 mm. Cases of overwintering larvae have been recorded in the Carpathians. Young of the year, 10-17 mm or more in length, come to land during the daytime in July - early September. Unlike adults, they are very active during the day and stay mainly on the grass near water bodies.
Photo
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Young tree frog
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Tree frog on glass
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Singing male
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Laying of frog eggs
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Hatching tadpoles
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Notes
Literature
- Encyclopedia of Ukrainian Studies (10 volumes) / Chief editor Volodymyr Kubiyovych. - Paris, New York: Young Life, 1954-1989.
- Knipovich N. M.// Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
Links
An excerpt characterizing the Common Tree Frog
- Which one?- Drubetsky?
- No, recently...
- What do you like about him?
- Yes, he is a nice young man... Why are you asking me this? - said Princess Marya, continuing to think about her morning conversation with her father.
“Because I made an observation, a young man usually comes from St. Petersburg to Moscow on vacation only for the purpose of marrying a rich bride.
– You made this observation! - said Princess Marya.
“Yes,” Pierre continued with a smile, “and this young man now behaves in such a way that where there are rich brides, there he is.” It’s like I’m reading it from a book. He is now undecided who to attack: you or mademoiselle Julie Karagin. Il est tres assidu aupres d'elle. [He is very attentive to her.]
– Does he go to them?
- Very often. And do you know a new style of grooming? - Pierre said with a cheerful smile, apparently in that cheerful spirit of good-natured ridicule, for which he so often reproached himself in his diary.
“No,” said Princess Marya.
- Now, in order to please Moscow girls - il faut etre melancolique. Et il est tres melancolique aupres de m lle Karagin, [one must be melancholy. And he is very melancholy with m elle Karagin,” said Pierre.
- Vraiment? [Really?] - said Princess Marya, looking into Pierre’s kind face and never ceasing to think about her grief. “It would be easier for me,” she thought, if I decided to trust someone with everything I feel. And I would like to tell Pierre everything. He is so kind and noble. It would make me feel better. He would give me advice!”
– Would you marry him? asked Pierre.
“Oh, my God, Count, there are moments when I would marry anyone,” Princess Marya suddenly said to herself, with tears in her voice. “Oh, how hard it can be to love a loved one and feel that... nothing (she continued in a trembling voice) you can’t do for him except grief, when you know that you can’t change it.” Then one thing is to leave, but where should I go?...
- What are you, what’s wrong with you, princess?
But the princess, without finishing, began to cry.
– I don’t know what’s wrong with me today. Don't listen to me, forget what I told you.
All Pierre's gaiety disappeared. He anxiously questioned the princess, asked her to express everything, to confide in him her grief; but she only repeated that she asked him to forget what she said, that she did not remember what she said, and that she had no grief other than the one he knew - the grief that Prince Andrei’s marriage threatens to quarrel with his father son.
– Have you heard about the Rostovs? – she asked to change the conversation. - I was told that they would be here soon. I also wait for Andre every day. I would like them to see each other here.
– How does he look at this matter now? - Pierre asked, by which he meant the old prince. Princess Marya shook her head.
- But what to do? There are only a few months left until the year ends. And this cannot be. I would only like to spare my brother the first minutes. I wish they would come sooner. I hope to get along with her. “You have known them for a long time,” said Princess Marya, “tell me, hand on heart, the whole true truth, what kind of girl is this and how do you find her?” But the whole truth; because, you understand, Andrei is risking so much by doing this against his father’s will that I would like to know...
A vague instinct told Pierre that these reservations and repeated requests to tell the whole truth expressed Princess Marya’s ill will towards her future daughter-in-law, that she wanted Pierre not to approve of Prince Andrei’s choice; but Pierre said what he felt rather than thought.
“I don’t know how to answer your question,” he said, blushing, without knowing why. “I absolutely don’t know what kind of girl this is; I can't analyze it at all. She's charming. Why, I don’t know: that’s all that can be said about her. “Princess Marya sighed and the expression on her face said: “Yes, I expected and was afraid of this.”
– Is she smart? - asked Princess Marya. Pierre thought about it.
“I think not,” he said, “but yes.” She doesn't deserve to be smart... No, she's charming, and nothing more. – Princess Marya again shook her head disapprovingly.
So far, amphibians living in water and on land have been described, but many of them decided to climb higher! Representatives tree frog family (Hylidae) especially popular among terrarium enthusiasts. They spend most of their lives in trees and bushes, and only sometimes go down. Some tropical species even manage without these “visits.”
They “take baths” and lay eggs in small ponds formed in the axils or rosettes of leaves and tree hollows. Long fingers with suction cups at the end allow them to climb not only trunks and branches, but also smooth leaves, and in captivity, glass, easily holding on to vertical surfaces. In addition, tree frogs are able to make huge jumps, instantly “sticking”, for example, to the opposite wall of the room.
Many species are brightly colored, as reflected in their names: "orange-sided", "golden", "variegated", etc., although most have a green or brownish protective coloration with spots and stripes. Three domestic species are common in Russia: common (Hula arborea), Asia Minor (N. savignyi) And Far Eastern (H.japonica) tree frog. These are small (3-4 cm) frogs that lead an arboreal lifestyle. All of them in one way or another belong to protected species.
As an example, consider the common tree frog, which lives in the south of the European part of Russia, in Krasnodar region and in the Caucasus. But in some years with particularly hot summers, tree frogs were found in the south of the Moscow region. Their green color makes them completely invisible against the background of green leaves. Their existence is revealed only by the sharp cries of the males. Their singing can be heard night and day, especially before rain. Adult tree frogs usually live in trees far from water, while young ones often stay on aquatic vegetation, sitting directly above the water (on reeds, cattails, reeds, sedges).
These frogs are active both day and night, but in the darkEvery day they feel bolder: they climb down from the trees and catch insects in the grass. They overwinter by burrowing into the litter or hiding in burrows, hollows, and under stones. Before wintering, the color of tree frogs changes to darker. They hunt various insects, but give preference to winged ones - flies or butterflies. Large prey, like other frogs, is pushed into the mouth using the front legs. For breeding, they choose reservoirs whose banks are bordered by reeds, bushes and trees. Females lay eggs in the spring, in large clumps, in several stages. One female can lay up to a thousand eggs. Very small tadpoles, no more than 0.5 cm, hatch after 10 days. Their development lasts for 3 months; the size of the tadpole before metamorphosis is up to 5 cm. Frogs become sexually mature in the 3rd-4th year of life.
More attractive for home keeping are tropical tree frogs, whose captive breeding is well established, and therefore some species are sold in pet stores. Most often these are Australian species: blue, or coral-toed, (Litoria caerulea) And long-legged (L. infrafrenata) litoria. These are large (up to 14 cm) amphibians of green color, sometimes with a bluish tint. Calm, even phlegmatic, they live well at home and are capable of simple training, which is why they often become pets. They require a spacious, high terrarium. A mixture of leaf soil, peat and expanded clay is used as a pound, in which plants with dense leathery leaves can be planted. It is necessary to place a wide and deep pond for swimming at the bottom. When decorating a terrarium, you can use driftwood and tree branches that will protect the plant stems from breakage. The temperature is slightly above room temperature: 20-32 °C. Humidity is about 80%. Food: crickets, cockroaches and other insects of suitable size. Tree frogs very readily eat flies and mosquitoes. They quickly get used to taking food from their fingers or tweezers. Tree frogs can be trained to croak when the lights are turned on. In order for the frogs to start making sounds, they use a box of matches - just shake it next to the terrarium, and the males begin to “respond”. If you do this every day when you turn on the light (lamps for illuminating the terrarium), then the tree frogs will produce conditioned reflex- croak when the owner approaches the terrarium and turns on the lamp. IN mating season Male tree frogs scream loudly on their own initiative, warning a possible rival that the given territory is already occupied, and attracting females with their cries.
Externally, the representatives look like tree frogs family of copepod frogs, or copepod, (Rhacophoridae), common in Southeast Asia and tropical Africa. Some Asian species They are famous for their ability to perform gliding flight with the help of greatly enlarged membranes between the toes of their hind legs. Most often it goes to amateurs house copepod (Polypedates leucomystax), breeding in captivity. These are medium-sized amphibians: the body length of males is 4-5 cm, females are twice as large. The color is brown with darker spots and stripes. They are undemanding to living conditions. The main thing that attracts the attention of amateurs to them is their method of reproduction. The eggs are laid in a foam nest built by the parents. It is located above the water, between the leaves of low-hanging plants. In a terrarium, copepods build a nest on the side walls or simply on the ground. After 2-5 weeks, the foam liquefies and the hatched tadpoles roll into the water. Small copepods are fed in the same way as tree frogs. And reproduction in captivity is stimulated with the help of hormonal injections, which is not available to beginners.
Of course, representatives of the poison dart frog family (Dendrobatidae). Incredibly bright color interesting behavior, beautiful “singing” and, last but not least, the deadly poison produced skin some species attract the attention of not only biologists and ecologists, but also a large army of terrarium enthusiasts. Fortunately, when kept and bred in captivity, the toxicity of the poison practically disappears. It is possible that it depends on living conditions and the type of food, but nothing is known for sure. This allows us to recommend Dendrobates as pets.
For a group of poison dart frogs (1 male and 3-4 females), a spacious terrarium with dimensions of at least 40 x 25 x 25 cm is required. The soil is a mixture of peat, fern roots and sphagnum. A driftwood with plants from the bromeliad family placed on it is required. Ventilation required. Temperature during the day is 23-27 °C, at night 19-22 °C. Humidity is about 70%. Lighting is required; in this case, it is advisable to provide for daily 30-60-minute quartz treatment with a LAU-30 lamp. Food: small insects, spiders and other invertebrates; should be in stock, since dart frogs are very energetic frogs and in the event of a week-long hunger strike they can simply die, which is different from their other cold-blooded relatives who eat just once a week.
Reproduction of poison dart frogs is incredibly interesting, although very difficult for a novice terrarium hobbyist. The male, sitting on a horizontal leaf of the plant, calls to him with melodious trills the females who are ready to reproduce. Caviar in the amount of 5-10 pieces is deposited directly on this leaf. The male fertilizes it, and then remains nearby for a while, moistening the eggs with his mucus as needed. The tadpoles hatch on the 10-15th day, and the father carries them on his own back in a lump of foamy mucus to the nearest body of water: such a body of water is often water accumulated in the axils of bromeliad leaves. The female periodically visits her children, laying unfertilized eggs in their water, which serve as food for them. The male defends his territory and his “harem” (he usually has several females) by courageously attacking male poison dart frogs of his species.
They are imported into our country the following types Dendrobates: dye frog (D. auratus)- black-blue or black-yellow, about 4 cm in size; small poison dart frog (D. pumilo) - usually bright red with black or blue legs, 1.5-2 cm in size; blue (D. azureus) poison dart frog- blue-blue with black spots, size 4 cm; sacred (D. leucomelas) poison dart frog - black with bright yellow spots and stripes, 3.5 cm in size.
In terms of difficulty of keeping, other amphibians with equally bright colors can be compared with Dendrobates. For example, harlequins (Atelopus) - small toads from tropical areas America and Madagascar frog mantella (Mantella). Unfortunately, all these interesting tailless amphibians do not live long - 5-6 years. (However, this is longer than the lifespan of a laboratory white rat - about one and a half years!). In addition, all exotics are poorly tamed, completely ignoring the existence of their own owner. Therefore, I do not suggest that beginners should definitely have them - this is the lot of “advanced” terrarium keepers who have accumulated extensive experience in keeping amphibians in captivity. I just want you to love all amphibians, these wonderful animals - slippery, cold, but incredibly interesting and cute.
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