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LA State Amphibian LbNA #61712

Owner:Wisconsin Hiker
Plant date:Apr 14, 2012
Location:
City:Mandeville
County:St. Tammany
State:Louisiana
Boxes:1
Found by: Not yet found!
Last found:N/A
Status:a
Last edited:May 15, 2016
Last checked/found: 14-APR-12

Location: The “blue fountain” park. 2012 Entrance Fees: $1 per person; Free for seniors (62 and older) and children age 3 and under.
Time/Distance: ~45 minutes
Terrain: Level dirt/gravel trail
Note: There were LOTS of vicious mosquitoes when we were there in April – bring your bug spray!

The Green Tree Frog was adopted as Louisiana’s official state amphibian in 1993. It is considered to be the one of the most beautiful tree frogs in North America. Its color ranges from bright, leaf green to olive green and the frog grows to be approximately 2 inches long. Its legs are about 1 1/2 times as long as its body, which helps it to jump 8 to 10 feet. Its toes end in round pads that allow it to climb around in trees very comfortably. Keep a look out along your journey and perhaps you may see some!

Park near the beach area and walk east until you get to a trailhead. You will see a gravel path with a bulletin board on your left and a plaque with information about local epiphytes on your right. Follow the trail, crossing a wooden bridge with brick posts.

Green tree frogs are found in swamps, borders of lakes and bayous, on floating vegetation, in trees and bushes near water, in Spanish moss or under bark on trees, and any place well supplied with water or dampness. At night they can be found clinging to house windows or windowsills preying on insects attracted by the artificial light.

Continue straight along the path that heads roughly southeast. This leads out to the marsh. Eventually, you will come to a huge oak tree on the right side of the trail and then an intersection.

In spring adult male tree frogs get out and about looking for mates. Their evening calls have been described as sounding like banging a cowbell with a stick. Some compare the sound to the words "Duck! Duck!" or "Quank! Quank!" The sounds they make give rise to some other names for the Green Tree Frog - Cowbell Frog, Bell Frog, and Fried Bacon Frog (huh?) among them.

At the intersection, head left on the SM Trail. However you may want to explore the boardwalks first to get some views of the marsh and perhaps see another of Louisiana’s state symbols (reptile) up close and personal! If you do explore, return to the intersection when you are done.

Green tree frogs eat just about anything they can get into their mouths. This usually includes insects, spiders, and the like. They seem to be an important part of the food chain, because they are eaten by many critters such as snakes, birds, turtles, fish, and mammals like raccoons and otters.

On the SM trail continue along until the trail starts to curve left. Stop when you see “cattails” on the right and a stump on the left. The tree frog you seek hides behind the tree to the left of the stump. Please recover her well to keep her safe from all types of predators, including the dangerous muggles.

To return to your car, continue along the trail. Take a left at a “Y” to stay on SM, and then after you emerge, head left to find a familiar area.

Besides being the state amphibian, the green tree frog is the basis for the well-known Muppet character "Kermit the Frog".

We do not live in the area, so we would greatly appreciate an email to let us know how the happy little frog is faring!


Hike length: 1-2 miles