Foto: Krzysztof Kluger

European tree frog (Hyla arborea)

The European tree frog is an arboreal and thermophillic species. Mostly it basks in the branches and leaves of shrubs and trees. It particularly likes hazel, raspberry and blackberry bushes. The small body of the tree frog resembles a leaf, so it is difficult to spot it in nature. It is usually grassy green, ​​but can change its color like a chameleon. The change of color from pale yellow to almost black takes the only 20 minutes and depends on the environment, external conditions, and even humidity. It is protected from predators through an excellent camouflage and a strong venom produced in the glands in the skin. The long hind legs enable it to jump at considerable distances, and the fingers with sticky pads help it to stay on the leaves even in strong winds. It normally hunts on small insects and spiders. During an attack it shots the tongue covered with a sticky secretion from the mouth towards the prey. The sound of the animal is distinctive. Unlike other frogs tree frogs do not croak, but chatter. This is reminiscent of the sound of a very loud rattle. The tree frog is threatened with extinction, thus it is advisable to protect its breeding sites – small water bodies with dense rushes.