Hylidae facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hylidae Temporal range: 57–0Ma PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N Paleocene – recent
Red-eyed Tree Frog, Agalychnis callidryas
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Hylidae Rafinesque, 1815
Genera
See text.
Distribution of Hylidae (in black)

Hylidae is a family of tree frogs. These amazing frogs are often called "tree frogs" because many of them live in trees. Some Hylids live partly in water, while others like to have their own special territory.

What Makes Tree Frogs Special?

Most tree frogs in the Hylidae family have eyes that face forward. This helps them see things in 3D, which is great for catching insects! These frogs are usually arboreal, meaning they live in trees.

However, not all Hylids live in trees. For example, the Cyclorana species are burrowing frogs. They spend most of their time hidden underground.

Tree frogs mainly eat insects and other small creatures without backbones, like worms. Bigger tree frogs can even eat small animals with backbones.

Life Cycle and Reproduction

Hylids lay their eggs in different places. Many lay them in ponds. Some use small puddles found in holes in trees. Others lay their eggs on plants that are close to water. When the tadpoles hatch, they drop from the plants into the water below.

In South America, some female Hylids are special. They carry their eggs on their back until the tadpoles hatch!

Different Kinds of Tree Frogs

The Smilisca phaeota frog, found in Costa Rica

The European tree frog (Hyla arborea) lives in central and Southern Europe. You can also find them in parts of Asia and North Africa. These frogs can be quite noisy, especially when it's raining!

In North America, there are many types of Hylidae. Some common ones include the Hyla versicolor (also known as the Grey Tree Frog) and the Hyla cinerea (the American Green Tree Frog). The spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) is another well-known Hylid found in the Eastern United States. Spring peepers make very loud calls during spring and summer.

The name "tree frog" is used for many frogs in the Hylidae family. For example, Hyla versicolor is called the changeable tree frog. However, "tree frog" isn't just for Hylids. Many other frog families, like the Rhacophoridae, also have species called "tree frogs."

How Scientists Group Tree Frogs (Taxonomy)

The North American gray treefrog, Hyla versicolor

The Stoney Creek Frog, Litoria wilcoxi

A Japanese Tree Frog, Hyla japonica

The Waxy Monkey Leaf Frog, Phyllomedusa sauvagii

Scientists group the Hylidae family into smaller groups called subfamilies and genera. This helps them organize and understand all the different types of frogs.

Here are some of the main subfamilies:

• Subfamily Pelodryadinae (These are tree frogs from Australia and Papua New Guinea)
  • Litoria
• Subfamily Phyllomedusinae (These are often called Leaf frogs)
  • Agalychnis
  • Phyllomedusa
• Subfamily Hylinae (This is the largest group, with many different kinds of tree frogs)
  • Hyla – Common Treefrogs
  • Pseudacris – Chorus Frogs

See also

In Spanish: Ranas arborícolas comunes para niños