Blue Ridge Wildlife Center Patient of the Week: Green Treefrog

What do you call a frog with three legs? A hoppy patient!

This 3-gram Green Treefrog was brought to the Center by a concerned citizen who had found the frog with an obviously fractured hind limb during one of our warmer days last week. Unfortunately, the fractured bone was exposed and not viable so amputation was the only option.

Many frogs do very well with amputations and treefrogs are no exception. After surgical removal of the lower limb at the knee joint, this patient was climbing around the enclosure within minutes of recovering from anesthesia.

Green treefrogs span the southeastern U.S., from Virginia to Florida and as far west as eastern Texas. They are highly arboreal and are often found in areas with dense vegetation near water, such as wetlands, ponds, and slow-moving streams.

They have also adapted to residential areas, often being found around porch lights where they hunt light-seeking insects.

These frogs are typically bright green, but can also appear yellowish or brown depending on environmental factors. They may have a light stripe running down each side of their body.

They will become active again in the spring. This frog will be released May 1st, the first day we can begin releasing overwintered reptiles and amphibians!

These tiny animals are much hardier than they appear and they have one of the highest success rates of any group of animals at our hospital. If you find a frog in need of assistance, please call a rehabilitator!

Looking for an easy way to help native wildlife? Become a monthly BRWC donor! For as little as $5/month, you can provide year-round, sustainable support that helps us fulfill our mission.