One of the Most Unique Frogs in FL: The Barking Tree Frog
By Kristen Hamann
Florida is home to 27 different native species of frogs. This is due to Florida’s ideal living conditions for amphibians and reptiles. The Barking Tree Frog is the largest native tree frog in Florida, averaging between 2 to 2.5 inches long. They are found all over the state of Florida and throughout the Southeast. They hibernate during the coldest months by burrowing into sandy soil or hiding in tortoise and mouse burrows. During the warmer months they can be found up in the trees. They breed in shallow still water like swamps and marshes with lots of aquatic vegetation and not very many fish. They live in sandy areas in pinelands or swampy woods, near standing woods.
The Barking Treefrog usually has a green body with dark spots evenly spaced on their backs. They are great at blending in with their backgrounds since they can camouflage, which can help them hide from predators such as birds. They often change colors frequently and can be green or gray. They are able to do this since they have chromatophores, which are cells that contain pigment and through contraction and expansion produce a temporary color, similar to cuttlefish. They are often confused with another native species, green tree frogs. The barking tree frog is heavier bodied and is more granular; in other words, their skin has a grainy texture. When they feel threatened, they will inflate with air to appear larger so they can come across as more difficult to swallow by their predators, such as snakes. They are known for their loud “barking” call, hence their name. Their call sounds like a “Donk” or “Tonk” which is repeated every 1-2 seconds. When there are multiples of them, from a distance they may sound like barking dogs. For many frogs, the call is for breeding purposes, to mark territory, alert each other of predators, or in response to weather.
Barking tree frogs, as well as other frogs, are very important to the environment. Frogs are very valuable for agriculture since they eat virtually billions of insects each year. They are also prey for many other bird, fish, and snake species. The most important role that frogs play is to serve as an indicator species. When environmental tragedies happen, such as pollution, frogs are one of the first animals severely affected. These sensitive creatures provide an early sign to when ecosystems are endangered. You can see the amazing Barking Tree Frogs, and many other cool frog species, at our Discovery Center on the Pier in our new Ribbit Exhibit.
