Blue, American Green Tree Frogs opus 937
| 10 September 2026 1526 Hours | | Herpetology, Anatomy, Biology, Current Events, Diet, Environment, Genetics, Zoology |
Mutations are often uncommon and fascinating.
Occasionally the American Green Tree Frog appears as a blue individual.
At least two geographic pockets of such frogs exist,
Found in the mid-Atlantic with a seemingly higher blue proportion.
Naturalists are currently flocking to witness a few specimens at
Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria, Virginia.
Why are there occasional mutations of blue in this species?
It may be a mutation affecting either the production
Or metabolism of yellow pigments.
When the yellow pigment is removed, the green frog appears blue.
However, this process currently, is not well understood.
Another possibility is diet, because many frogs
Get yellow pigment from their food.
A third option is that environmental conditions may be the cause.
Of course the blue color is probably detrimental to predation,
Because the green color helps them blend into their habitat.
The blue color is much more conspicuous to predators.
Finally, there are several unanswered questions such as,
Do the frogs commence green and turn blue over time?
Or are they blue as a tadpole? Is the color inherited?
This is an interesting phenomenon,
With many answers to be ferreted out in the future.
(This phenomenon is similar to leaves losing their chlorophyll,
And yielding the masked Fall red and yellow pigments.)