The American green tree frog (Dryophytes cinereus or Hyla cinerea) is a common arboreal species of New World tree frog belonging to the family Hylidae. This nocturnal insectivore is moderately sized and has a bright green to reddish-brown coloration. Commonly found in the central and southeastern United States, the frog lives in open canopy forests and permanent waters with abundant vegetation. When defending territory, the frog either emits aggressive call signals or grapples with intruders. To avoid predation, the frog hides in its aquatic habitat. Females are larger than males and breed through amplexus. In contrast, males emit low frequency advertisement calls to attract females. During mating competition, males will eavesdrop on neighboring rivals and either adjust their signal timing or remain silent to intercept call signals and mate with approaching females. Androgens energize males to vocalize. Description Many individuals of the American green tree frog are bright green and are of a streamlined and slender build. The American green tree frog is moderately sized. They have long legs, smooth skin, and bilateral symmetry. The size of the American green tree frog ranges from in length. Their dorsum can range in color from bright green to reddish-brown. Such a range in coloration accounts for false encounters of the frog by other species. The dorsum is peppered with small golden spots, and the frogs have a white to cream coloration on their ventral side. American green tree frogs also contain white prominent lateral stripes and are normally ectothermic and heterothermic amphibians. The American green tree frog weighs on average 3.76g in mass with a range between 2.15g - 5.11g. Female frogs are usually larger than males. Larger males tend to have an upper hand in attracting females than smaller males either through increased physical strength in duels or more pronounced call signals during mating competition. Distribution and habitat The American green tree frog is found in the central and southeastern United States with a geographic range from the Eastern Shore of Maryland to southeast Florida with populations as far west as central Texas and as far north as Delaware and southern New Jersey. The American green tree frog is considered monotypic, but clinal variation has beven observed from Florida north along the Atlantic coastal plain. This may be attributed to the result of strong selection and/or drift. American green tree frogs prefer to live in open canopy forests and permanent waters