A little damp, very welcome.

American Green Tree Frog

Dryophytes cinereus

Also called Green treefrog, Hyla cinerea

SpeciesShort profile

From South-eastern and central United States, from Delaware, Maryland and Virginia's Eastern Shore south to Florida and west to central Texas.1 2

A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.

At a glance the quick version

Length3.2 to 6.4 cm1 2

Lifespanup to 6 years2

Sizesmall

Captive individuals can reach about 6 years; wild lifespan not documented

Small and easy to house

Cheerful 'quonk' calls that carry a long way on warm nights

Bright green colour with a neat white side stripe

1 2

Looks how to spot one

Slim, smooth-skinned tree frog with toe pads

A medium-small, streamlined tree frog with long legs, smooth skin and large bulging eyes with horizontal pupils. A clean pale stripe usually runs along each side, and females grow a little larger than males.1 2

ColoursBright yellow-greenGreenReddish brownSmall gold flecks on the backWhite to cream belly and side stripe1 2

Personality what they are like

A shy, mostly solitary frog that sits quietly on stems and leaves by day with its legs tucked in, then becomes active after dark. Best enjoyed by watching rather than handling.1 2

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Nocturnal and agile; it actively chases most of its prey and climbs and jumps among plants, especially in damp weather.1 2

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

A terrarium of at least ten gallons with humidity-holding substrate, climbing branches and a shallow water dish suits it. Extra heating is usually only needed if the room drops below about 21 C. Keep handling to a minimum.1

Home where they are happiest

Taller planted terrarium with perches and a water dish, echoing the marshes, pond edges and lily-covered waters it lives around in the wild.1 2

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Insectivore that eats flies, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, spiders and other small invertebrates.1 2

Company who they like around

Solitary outside the breeding season, when large calling choruses form around ponds.2

The story where it all began

Johann Gottlob Schneider described the species in 1799, and it spent most of the 20th century under the name Hyla cinerea. Louisiana and Georgia have both chosen it as their official state amphibian.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
A chorus of calling males can be heard up to 1-2 km away.1
2
It is the official state amphibian of both Louisiana and Georgia.1
3
It hides in plain sight by pulling in its legs and closing its eyes so it looks like part of the leaf.2
4
Females can lay around 400 eggs in a single clutch.2

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List: Least Concern1
State of Louisiana: Official state amphibian (1997)1
State of Georgia: Official state amphibian (2005)1
Taxonomy: Described by Schneider in 1799; long known as Hyla cinerea before moving to Dryophytes1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a American Green Tree Frog. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

MistingKeep the humidity upevery day
Fresh waterDechlorinated waterevery day
Temperature checkevery day
FeedingHow often depends on species and agevaries
Spot cleanevery 2 days
Full cleanevery month
Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year

Tell me when it launches

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my American Green Tree Frog?

Furry Diary's starting plan is to feed them based on species and age, so a young frog may need daily small meals while an adult can be fed every two to three days. Always check with a vet who sees exotic pets for a schedule that fits your frog's size and condition.1 Furry Diary plan

What does an American Green Tree Frog eat, and what should it never eat?

They are insectivores and eat flies, crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, and other small invertebrates. Never feed them anything that is not a small insect, such as human food, wild-caught bugs that may carry pesticides, or any prey larger than the space between their eyes.1 2

How much space does an American Green Tree Frog need?

A terrarium of at least ten gallons is recommended, with climbing branches and a shallow water dish. They are agile and nocturnal, so a taller planted setup with perches suits their active nature.1

What temperature, light or water does an American Green Tree Frog need?

Extra heating is usually only needed if the room drops below about 21°C. They need a shallow water dish with dechlorinated water, and Furry Diary's plan suggests daily misting to keep humidity up. A vet can advise on any specific lighting needs.1 Furry Diary plan

How often should I clean an American Green Tree Frog's home?

Furry Diary's plan suggests spot cleaning every two days and a full clean every 30 days. This keeps their habitat fresh and healthy. Furry Diary plan

Can an American Green Tree Frog live with others?

They are mostly solitary outside the breeding season, so it is best to keep them alone to avoid stress. If you want to house more than one, consult a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for guidance.2

How long does an American Green Tree Frog live?

They can live up to 6 years in captivity with proper care. Providing the right habitat and diet helps them reach their full lifespan.2

Can I handle an American Green Tree Frog?

They are shy and best enjoyed by watching rather than handling, as their smooth skin is sensitive. Keep handling to a minimum to avoid stress and injury.1 2

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

Red-eyed Tree Frog

White's Tree Frog

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.

American green tree frog - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for range, status, size, weight, description, captive care, history
Hyla cinerea - Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan) animaldiversity.orgused for size, lifespan, behaviour, diet, reproduction
VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.