Dryophytes arenicolor
Silhouette: Robbi Bishop-Taylor · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~90% in a week >90%
The canyon tree frog (Dryophytes arenicolor) is a species of tree frog native to the rocky plateau areas of southern United States, primarily in New Mexico and Arizona, but it also ranges to Utah, Texas, and Colorado, and as far south as the Mexican states of Michoacán, México, Guanajuato, Guerrero, and Oaxaca.
Canyon tree frogs grow to 5.0–5.5 cm (2.0–2.2 in) in length, and are typically brown, grey-brown, or grey-green in color, often with darker-colored blotching. They can vary considerably, but usually match the soil or rock coloration of their native habitats to serve as camouflage. Those from limestone habitats are lighter colored, and those from regions composed mostly of granite can even be pink in coloration. Most have bright yellow in their groin regions, and faded banding on their legs.
Canyon tree frogs are mostly nocturnal and carnivorous. They are typically found in semiarid, rocky habitats near a permanent water source. Breeding occurs during the spring rains, and large, floating egg masses of 100 or more eggs are laid on the water. During periods of low rainfall, the frogs will take refuge in rock/bolder crevices.
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| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zion National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Grand Canyon National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Big Bend National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
| # | City | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mexico City | 🇲🇽 México | |
| 2 | Guadalajara | 🇲🇽 México |
| # | Zoo / Centre | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix Zoo | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | El Paso Zoo | 🇺🇸 United States |
Likely
About 60% of wildlife watchers report a Canyon Tree Frog sighting in Zion National Park on a given day, based on 276 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the most-seen of the 7 amphibians we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 90%, and over a week to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.
May
In that month about 80% of wildlife watchers report a Canyon Tree Frog in Zion National Park on a given day, against under 5% in February and December, the lowest months. That is one of Zion National Park's driest months, with about 20 mm of rain against 75 mm in March.
Between 9 am and noon
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Canyon Tree Frog sightings with a recorded time, and about 6 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is seen both by day and at night.
Yes
Of the 4 parks where we can rate Canyon Tree Frog sightings, Zion National Park has the highest daily chance: about 60%. Next come Grand Canyon National Park (United States, about 30%) and Saguaro National Park (United States, about 20%).
Same order: Anura
The closest relatives of the Canyon Tree Frog that you can see in Zion National Park (order Anura, Frogs and Toads) are Arizona Toad (about 40%), Great Basin Spadefoot (about 10%) and Red-spotted Toad (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Canyon Tree Frog is recorded against all the amphibians logged in Zion National Park (276 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
