News & Observer | newsobserver.com | Scapes: 2006

June 23, 2006 Staff photo by John Rottet [/assets/story/image_buynow.comp]
This isn’t just any old gray frog hanging out in a small backyard pond in northern Durham County. It’s a Cope’s gray treefrog (Hyla chrysoscelis) — not to be confused with the gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor). The frogs look identical, but a careful count of their chromosomes and an analysis of their calls will distinguish them, say the experts at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences. Both are common tree frogs in this area and produce a lovely flutelike trill, particularly on summer nights after a thunderstorm. Gray treefrog choruses during late spring and early fall can be deafening. Males gather at ponds surrounded by trees or shrubs, where they call from elevated perches. Once a female is present the male will come down from his perch to breed. They typically lay eggs in deep mud puddles, roadside ditches or woodland pools. This frog has a fairly short breeding period lasting from about April to June. Learn more about gray treefrogs at www.bbspvo.org/animals/factsheets/amphibians/copesgraytreefrog.htm or www.enature.com (This nifty site has field guides to all kinds of animals and you can even hear treefrogs’ calls. Just search for the animal you’re interested in.)
About This Project


John Rottet
In "Scapes" photojournalist John Rottet looks at the places where we live, work and play. He will explore the beauty of nature, the elegance of architecture and the details of the surroundings that make our community unique.

More photos: 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 through August | 2007

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