Why do I have Green Tree Frogs if there is no water source nearby?
April 2, 2010 by
Filed under Bird Bath Fountain
I live on a large hill with no water nearby. The nearest are well over a half mile away. My yard has excellent drainage so there is no standing water, and I don’t have any fountains or bird baths or the like. I do however have a large garden that I water frequently, however there is never any standing water. So, why is my home surrounded by these critters? I’m not complaining, I love them, I’m just wondering. I’m also a little worried that they won’t survive the winter without a body of water. Any ideas?
No secret underground tunnels. The vegetation isn’t particularly water rich either. Canna lillies, oleander, morning glory, begonias, sunflowers, mandevillia, bogainvillea, squash, peppers, okra, peas, watermelon, etc. I water frequently, but never enough for standing water.
It’s nature.
water rich vegetation? Secret underground water tunnels?
make a man made pond they wood like
I love these as well – we have one on our balcony.
Have a look at it’s photo here:
Your water source is called morning dew. Throughout the day the earth, plants, and bodies of water evaporate, or in the case of plants it’s called evapotransperation. The hotter the air is the more water it can hold. When the air cools it releases the water in the form of dew. This happens almost every night. Also frogs as well as snakes burrow down in the earth and hibernate for the winter.
Tree frogs don’t need a lot of water. If they get sprinkled when you water, that should be enough to keep them hydrated. They will also collect dew on their skin overnight which will also keep them hydrated.
Aside from the morning dew I’m sure there are areas in plants, shrubs and trees in your area that have places on them that collect the tiniest amounts of water. This is enough for the frogs.
They may even lay an egg in these tiny ‘water bowls’ and return regularly to lay an extra egg which is eaten by the tadpole as it grows. The tadpoles will also eat any larva/eggs of insects that may be laid in those small pools of water.
Not to worry – they will and do survive the winter.