Hyla arenicolor
Canyon tree frogs, which are amphibians, are a fairly common tree frog found in Arizona and other parts of the Southwest. They are difficult to spot, however, because they blend in with their surroundings through camouflage, meaning they can change color. Ironically, they do not spend much time in trees. They are frequently vertically clinging to rock boulders, getting some sun.
What do canyon tree frogs look like? Canyon tree frogs are small, only about two inches long. They are well camouflaged, blending in with their surroundings and typically similar to the color of nearby rock formations. They can be brown, gray, cream, olive-gray or even pink. They have darker blotches on their warty skin. In sunlight, they become a grayish white. They also cling to rocks with sticky toe pads.
Look at the photo below. There are two frogs in it. One, in the sun, is a light color, but to the left is one in the shade that’s a spotty, darker color, blending in with the surroundings.
Do they live in trees, as their name would imply? Not typically. They are primarily ground dwelling, but will climb trees on occasion. They are most often found basking on rocks soaking in the sun.
Are they nocturnal? Yes
What are baby Canyon Free Frogs called? Tadpoles
What does a Canyon Tree Frog family look like? Mamma frogs lay 100 or more eggs directly into water. The eggs attach to submerged vegetation or float on the surface. They hatch in about two weeks. The young start out as tadpoles, which become froglets in less than two months. Tadpoles born late in the season may delay their metamorphosis to frogs, overwintering as larvae and changing to frogs in the next spring. As adults they are mostly solitary but will congregate in large groups when it’s hot near pools of water.
View a video of Canyon Tree Frogs
Are they endangered? No they are of least concern, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
What else is interesting about this animal? Like other amphibians, they get some of their oxygen from their lungs, but also some that’s absorbed through their skin. This way they can stay submerged under water if needed. They don’t drink water but instead absorb water through the skin like other frogs. They never go far from water.
Where can I found out more about canyon tree frogs? Check out the National Park Service’s page about canyon tree frogs to learn more.
Sightings
Soldier’s Pass Trail, Sedona, Arizona
More about canyon tree frogs
Todd the Canyon Tree Frog page for kids
Blog page about my first sighting of a Canyon Tree Frog