#SaveTheFrogs Day Special: European Tree Frog Profile

I wasn't planning on doing another post today, so this is just a quick one, but having seen that today is Save the Frogs Day, I don't think I have an excuse for not writing something about this blog's namesake.

European tree frog (Hyla arborea) © Poppy Simon

These photos are of the European tree frog, Hyla arborea. Despite their name, as far as I have ever seen they prefer to live in pool sheds rather than trees, although they are famous in the south of France for peeing on people's heads from branches far above them.

Most people are more familiar with tree frogs found in rainforests, like the red-eyed tree frog, and I think most people would agree that those are 'cuter' than their squatter, wrinklier European counterparts, but I find the slightly grumpy quality of this frog quite endearing.

European tree frog (Hyla arborea) © Poppy Simon

As you can see in these photos, the tree frogs come in a variety of colours, but what is somewhat more interesting is that this could, in theory, be the same individual. The skin of the frog changes colour according to the climate, both temperature and humidity, and also according to their mood. They are also used as barometers because of their propensity to croak when it is about to rain.

European tree frog (Hyla arborea) © Poppy Simon

With respect to Save the Frogs Day, aimed at highlighting the danger that frogs are in, my choice of frog is not entirely appropriate, given that the European tree frog (unusually) is not actually endangered. Many other frogs around the world are threatened by a deadly fungus, but since this merits a post in its own right, I won't go into too much detail now. As far as I can find out, however, the European tree frog is so far unaffected by this and, rarely for frogs, seems to have a relatively certain future of peeing on people ahead of it.