Cope's Gray Treefrog: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Newts and Salamanders · day 7 of 7

Five facts

1. Cope's gray treefrog can survive being frozen, thanks to glycerol, a trick only a few frog species use.
2. It can survive temperatures as low as -8 °C. In wintering frogs, 40 to 50 % of their body water was found frozen.
3. Breeding males call at 85 to 90 dB.
4. Its calls are faster and slightly higher-pitched than the gray treefrog's, and female treefrogs can tell apart calls just a few decibels apart.
5. When it jumps, hidden bright-yellow marks on its hind legs flash into view and can startle a predator.

The quiz

1. What helps Cope's gray treefrog survive freezing?

• Thick fur
• Digging deep
• Glycerol (correct)
• Antlers

It produces glycerol as a cryoprotectant.

2. How much of its body water can turn to ice?

• Up to half (correct)
• None at all
• A tenth
• All of it

In wintering frogs, 40 to 50 % of body water was frozen.

3. How loud can male calls get?

• 15 to 20 dB
• 85 to 90 dB (correct)
• 40 to 45 dB
• 120 to 130 dB

Male calls reach 85 to 90 dB.

4. How do its calls differ from the gray treefrog's?

• Slower and lower
• Much longer
• Silent
• Faster and slightly higher-pitched (correct)

Its calls are faster-paced and slightly higher-pitched.

5. What is revealed on its hind legs when it jumps?

• Red stripes
• Blue spots
• Bright-yellow markings (correct)
• White fur

Hidden bright-yellow markings flash into view.

Same week

All lessons

Nature documentaries