*The colored areas of the map above represent parishes with currently known records for the given species (Source: Jeff Boundy, LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries). By no means does it represent the full range of the species in the state, nor does it necessarily mean that a species can be found throughout the parish with the record. This is provided as a guide to where you might be able to find these species in the state and to aid in identification. A descriptive explanation of the range of each species can be found in the text below.
Other Common Names:
Subspecies: No subspecies recognized.
Adult Description: A small to medium-sized treefrog (maximum 1.7”) with variable coloration of gray, greenish-gray, reddish-brown, or brown. Expanded, adhesive toe pads used for climbing. Skin is relatively smooth with a fine grainy texture. Often with darker irregular markings between eyes and on middle of back. A dark line begins at each nostril and extends through eyes, over eardrum, and along sides of body. No light patches under eyes unlike gray treefrogs and Bird-voiced Treefrog. Darker crossbars usually present on limbs. Small yellow, orange, or white markings among darker color on rear of thighs, which are typically concealed when at rest, help distinguish this species from similar looking Squirrel Treefrog. Belly is dull white.
Similar Species:
Species Range: Coastal Plain from southeast Virginia south to southern Florida, and west to Mississippi River in Louisiana.
Louisiana Range: Florida Parishes.
Adult Habitat: Primarily pine flatwoods, savannas, and mixed pine-hardwood forests, but may be found elsewhere.
Natural History: Pine Woods Treefrogs are nocturnal in warm weather, using their camouflage during the day to blend in with limbs, trunks, or tree cavities or staying out of site in stumps or under loose bark of pine logs and snags. They eat a wide variety of insects and spiders. Known predators include several snake species. They breed from April to August in a wide variety of wetlands, including ephemeral ponds, pools, and ditches. Females lay 700–2,100 eggs in clusters of about 100 eggs. They are typically laid as either a surface film or attached to vegetation just below water surface. Eggs hatch in 3 days and tadpoles metamorphose in 40–70 days. Maturity is attained in 3 months and adults will breed the following season. Wild longevity is unknown, but a captive lived for 4 years, 5 months.
Call: Nearly continuous but irregular series of raspy ‘dot-and-dash’ calls likened to Morse code that lasts several seconds.
Best Time and Place to Observe: Listen for their distinctive vocalizations at night in mid-spring and summer near wetlands in the pinelands. Follow the sound right up to calling males.
Global Conservation Status: Pine Woods Treefrogs have a relatively wide distribution in the southeastern United States and a presumed large population, and thus, are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. Their NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank is G5 (Secure).
Federal Conservation Status: None.
Louisiana Conservation Status: Pine Woods Treefrogs do not have any special status in Louisiana.
Author's Remarks: I have not spent much time herping in their range in the state, but I have captured a couple individuals in the pictures above near Abita Springs (St. Tammany Parish). I have also detected this species at several other sites in St. Tammany Parish, some only by their calls.
