Maddie Doherty, Rev. George Brown School
Sussex County
Pine Barrens Treefrog. Sussex County. Maddie Doherty
Pine Barrens Treefrog
Hi. I am a Pine Barrens treefrog. My scientific name is Hyla andersonii. Let me tell you a little about myself.
My lifespan is about 12-15 years but is usually shorter in the wild. I live in areas with a lot of plants and greenery. I also live in areas carpeted with thick moss and shallow ponds. Adult treefrogs eat small invertebrates. Some examples are: grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, spiders, ants, and flies. Tadpoles eat algae, microscopic invertebrates and small sea plants.
Female treefrogs lay one egg at a time. One female can lay 1,000 eggs. Within 1-2 weeks, the eggs hatch into tadpoles. Unfortunately, most of the eggs don’t survive.
My population is affected by habitat loss and pollution of breeding ponds. We are rare in New Jersey and listed as threatened.
Adult tree frogs measure 2.8 cm to 4.4 cm (1.13 to 1.75 inches) in length. I am vibrant green and have lots of color. I have a purple stripe with a yellow-white border that runs from my snout, down each side of my body. I have a bright orange patch behind each of my hind legs that shows a bright streak of color when I jump. My throat is purple.
You can help me, my family, and friends by stopping pollution in breeding ponds. Please do not litter! It is not good for the environment and the water where I live. Conserving water helps too! Did you know that if you use the dishwasher instead of hand washing dishes, you can save up to 3 gallons of water? That is three full milk jugs! Easy things like that help me and the environment!
Thanks for learning and reading about me and my story. Please remember to help me and my environment!
Written by: Maddie Doherty
Rev. George A. Brown School, Sparta
Teacher: Ms. Dempsey