Amphibians
Pine Woods Tree Frog
Hyla femoralis · also called pine woods treefrog
Resting on a pine trunk with its legs tucked in, a pine woods tree frog reveals nothing unusual at all, until it leaps and briefly flashes hidden yellow-orange spots on the underside of its legs that were invisible only a moment before.
Overview
The pine woods tree frog, Hyla femoralis, is a small, well-camouflaged treefrog native to pine flatwoods and sandy forest habitat across the southeastern coastal plain of the United States. Its hidden leg spots and distinctive clicking call set it apart from the several other treefrog species sharing its southeastern range.
A marking built to stay a secret
Unlike treefrogs that display their brightest colours openly, the pine woods tree frog keeps its most distinctive feature tucked away entirely, revealing it only in the brief instant of a jump before folding it back out of sight again.
Status
Least Concern — widespread and common across suitable pine flatwoods and sandy forest habitat throughout the southeastern coastal plain.
Pine Woods Tree Frog: common questions
Why are the pine woods tree frog's leg spots hidden most of the time?
A pine woods tree frog carries small yellow-orange spots on the concealed inner surfaces of its hind legs, a marking that stays completely hidden while the frog rests with its legs folded and becomes visible only when the legs extend, such as during a jump, making it a distinctive feature that is easy to miss without a close look.
What does the pine woods tree frog's call sound like?
The pine woods tree frog produces a distinctive call made up of a rapid, irregular series of clicking sounds, often compared to a burst of Morse code, a pattern quite different from the more musical or trilling calls typical of many other treefrog species.
Why is the pine woods tree frog tied so closely to pine flatwoods?
A pine woods tree frog is closely associated specifically with pine flatwoods and sandy upland habitat across the southeastern coastal plain, a more specific habitat preference than several of its treefrog relatives, likely reflecting particular requirements around temporary breeding pond availability and canopy cover within that habitat type.
Where does the pine woods tree frog live?
The pine woods tree frog is native to pine flatwoods and sandy forest habitat across the southeastern coastal plain of the United States, breeding in temporary, fishless woodland ponds that fill after seasonal rains.