HABITAT

Typically breeds in ephemeral fishless habitats including pine flatwoods, forested or shrub wetlands, cypress swamps, lakes, ponds and wet prairies.

BREEDING SEASON

Spring/Summer, April-August.

SIMILAR TADPOLES

Hyla andersonii, Hyla cinerea, Hyla chrysoscelis, Pseudacris ocularis

APPEARANCE

Head

Lateral eyes.

Body

Hyla femoralis tadpoles have dark bodies, olive to greenish black, the sides and throat are purplish and the center of the belly is yellow.

Tail

The tail is deep with wide fins and a long flagellum.  A distinct pale stripe runs laterally down the middle of the tail muscle starting at the body and extending halfway or more down the length of the tail.  The dorsal trail fin extends anteriorly onto the head.  The upper and lower tail fins are mottled with large dark blotches and the fins are often washed with bright red coloration similar to Hyla chrysoscelis and Hyla cinerea.

APPROXIMATE MAXIMUM SIZE

Small: 0.8-1.5 inches, 20-40 mm.