My Mystery Critter Has Been Identified.
Thursday, May 7th, 2009Our local MNR has come to the rescue and identified my mystery toad, which is actually a frog. Here’s the word from Jason Ritchie, Grey County Forest Stewardship Network:
This is a Gray tree Frog. Gray tree frogs are very variable in colour (like a chamelion) which explains the greenish colour and the fact that it was able to get up on the bench or table. The are often found on houses in rural areas near outdoor lights where bugs congregate because of the light.
Below is an excerpt I pulled from Wikipedia for you
As the species name Hyla versicolor implies, gray tree frogs are highly variable in color owing to their ability to camouflage themselves from gray to green, depending on the substrate they are sitting on. The degree of mottling varies. They can change from nearly black to nearly white. They change colors more slowly than a chameleon. Dead gray tree frogs and ones in unnatural surroundings are predominantly gray in color.
Gray tree frogs are very common but are not seen often due to their camo ability. They also have a very distinctive trill for a call, you will be able to find the call online, and will probably find that you have heard it before.
Hope this helps
Thank you, Jason! And thank you to all of you who have also helped me out, many of you correctly, in identifying this visitor.
