Hyla chrysoscelis
Description
The Southern Gray Tree Frog is found throughout Mississippi. They’re medium-sized tree frogs that are usually gray or green mottled with a lighter-colored spot below the eye. Thigh marks are bright yellow on yellow background. Their call is a clear, quick trill, similar to a shortened toad call. This is the diploid member of the diploid-tetraploid gray tree frog complex, the other member of which exists north of Mississippi. They are differentiated only by call in the field.
Identifying Traits
- Gray or green mottled appearance
- Lighter spot below eye
- Yellow spots on yellow background (see photo above)

Habitat
Within woodlands, and on the edges of woodlands, usually close to water (Peterson et al., 2016)
Behavior
Male call is a quick trill
Diet
Various invertebrates