Native Herp Tank
GRAY & GREEN TREE FROGS
The zoo's collection of tree frogs live in an aquarium where they can be seen climbing the walls and sitting on the rocks and plants. Visitors sometimes have to look hard to find them because they also like to hide under the leaves and bury themselves in the dirt.Facts
- They can change their color from grey to green depending on what they are sitting on.
- They are the largest tree frog in Wisconsin.
- They can climb and rest on vertical surfaces because of a mucous layer produced by toe pad cells. The mucous creates a sticky bond with surfaces that can hold the frog's weight.
Threats: They are threatened by habitat change due to human development and pollution.
GREEN ANOLES
When you come in the education center you will have to look hard for the green anoles because they like to hide in their exhibit of branches, moss, and rocks. They can be either bright green or dark brown depending on their mood, temperature, humidity and health.
Facts
- If caught by the tail a green anole will amputate or loose its tail in order to escape.
- Green anoles have adhesive lamellae or membranes on their foot-pads for crawling along walls like geckos.
- The male green anole has a colored flap of skin on their throat called a dewlap. They flare out the dewlap for territorial or courtship displays.
Threats: There are no threats to the green anole.
WOOD FROG
Wood frogs come in varying shades of brown and red. Most individuals have a black marking over the eyes that looks like a robber’s mask. During the breeding season, males can be heard making quack-like calls both day and night.Facts
- In the amphibian world, wood frogs may be the species best able to recognize their family. When many tadpoles are in the same place, siblings seek each other out and group together.
Conservations: Stable, but habitat loss due to farming and development may affect them in some areas.