Winter Greenhouse Visitor - so cute!

[Ethan]

Last fall, about two weeks after I brought all my plants into the greenhouse for the winter, I went into the greenhouse to do a final check for the evening. Imagine my surprise to find this little tree frog had hitched a ride in on one of the plants! I didn't know what to do. I was spraying chemicals every week at this point to get rid of thrips and was afraid it would kill him, but I knew putting him outside in below freezing temps was certain death. So I left him inside and hoped for the best.

I didn't see him again for about a month and began to worry he had died. Needles to say, I was so excited to see him again one morning in late November while watering the orchids. He sat in the sun on a bench all day long soaking up the rays! He was very alive and, seemingly, very happy!

Until the last couple weeks I'd only seen him a couple more times. I got home one night last week and he was sitting on the kitchen floor! He somehow made it through the 1/2-inch gap in the greenhouse door, into the house. I guess he figured where there where lights there was sure to be bugs! I found him in the kitchen again last night for the third time this week. For fear of him coming in the house and getting lost or stepped on (there have already been a couple close calls), I now have a very unsightly piece of cardboard with duct tape covering the gap in the door until it's warm enough for him to go back outside. He's so darn cute, I just can't help but laugh!

[Junebug]

Awwww, he is a cute little guy!

[WhiteRabbit]

cute!

[Anisa]

Sooo cuuutte! Looks like nice little boy!

[fotofashion]

But I think that what you have there is a toad not a frog. Even better because toads are better at eating insects than frogs. And he IS cute.
Beverly A.

[Ethan]

Originally Posted by fotofashion

But I think that what you have there is a toad not a frog. Even better because toads are better at eating insects than frogs. And he IS cute.
Beverly A.

Thanks Beverly! He does look kind of like a toad in the pictures because of the way he's sitting, but I can assure you he's a tree frog as he has suction cups on all his little toes - when I pick him up off the kitchen floor he jumps all over my arms, chest, etc. and hangs on for dear life! LOL It's kind of a weird feeling at first, but very cool!

[Ethan]

Here's another picture where you can kind of see the suction cups on his toes. He also doesn't have any green on him in this picture- another characteristic of tree frogs, changing their colors to camouflage into their environment. I've always loved tree frogs and I haven't seen one in years - what a nice surprise this year!

[nenella]

He's a Beaut! and has a fab 'expression'
keep us updated as he/she ? is definitely the cutest frog or toad ? I have ever seen .. just love that 'face'

[fotofashion]

How interesting. The tree frogs we have here on the Texas Gulf Coast are totally green, no splotching, and have white around their mouth (I think). Their skin is smooth, too. I haven't seen one since cold weather started. They are probably still hibernating.
I have a picture of another member of the family that is only about 1 1/4" long with really interesting markings. Yours looks considerably bigger.
Beverly A.

[Ethan]

Originally Posted by fotofashion

How interesting. The tree frogs we have here on the Texas Gulf Coast are totally green, no splotching, and have white around their mouth (I think). Their skin is smooth, too. I haven't seen one since cold weather started. They are probably still hibernating.
I have a picture of another member of the family that is only about 1 1/4" long with really interesting markings. Yours looks considerably bigger.
Beverly A.

I'm certainly not an expert on tree frogs, but I think their characteristics range quite a bit across the country. I've been to Hilton Head, SC a few times and tree frogs are quite abundant there and they look completely different than the ones we have in Ohio. They seem to look more tropical, if that makes sense. This one's skin is actually smooth, but doesn't look that way because of the markings on his body. Also, he is only about 2" long...I'm just so fascinated by them. If I could keep them as pets, I would, but I don't like to interfere with Mother Nature (any more than I already have this year) lol!