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Quick answer
The Pacific tree frog (Pseudacris regilla) is the iconic green or brown frog of the US West Coast, famous for Hollywood ribbit recordings. Adults weigh about 12 g and are listed Least Concern.
Top questions about the Pacific Tree Frog
Pacific Tree Frog facts at a glance
- Weight 12 g
- Length 5 cm
- Top speed 3 km/h
- Lifespan 6 years
| Scientific name | Pseudacris regilla |
|---|---|
| Diet | Insectivore |
| Habitat | Ponds, wetlands, and gardens |
| Lifespan | 5–8 years |
| Weight | 0.01–0.015 kg |
| Top speed | up to 3 km/h |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Amphibia |
| Order | Anura |
| Family | Hylidae |
| Genus | Pseudacris |
Where it lives
The pacific tree frog (Pseudacris regilla) is native to West Coast of North America from British Columbia to Baja. — recorded across North America in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a pacific tree frog?
An adult pacific tree frog measures 5 cm long — about 3% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 12 g, a small fraction of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of pacific tree frogs called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Pacific Tree Frogs is called an army.
Baby name
A baby Pacific Tree Frog is called a tadpole.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Hollywood's default ribbit
Recording studios used this species' call as the standard movie frog sound. A dark stripe through the eye and toe pads for climbing identify it.
Flies, ants, and garden ponds
Small insects are gulped near lights and water features. Colour shifts between green and brown with temperature and mood.
British Columbia to Baja coasts
West Coast forests, grassland, and suburbs from Canada to Baja California. Highly tolerant of human-altered wetlands and garden ponds.
Urban adapter
Least Concern and abundant. Chytrid fungus affects some amphibians, but Pacific tree frogs remain common in many developed watersheds.
Explore the Pacific Tree Frog
Related Amphibians
Range & geography
Conservation status of the Pacific Tree Frog
The pacific tree frog (Pseudacris regilla) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
The pacific tree frog (Pseudacris regilla) is assessed on the IUCN Red List. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Pacific Tree Frog
Why do Pacific tree frogs change colour?
They shift between green and brown with temperature, light, and stress — not instant background matching.
Is this the frog in movie soundtracks?
Yes — its ribbit was widely recorded as the generic cinematic frog call.
Where do Pacific tree frogs live?
West Coast North America from British Columbia through California and Baja.
Do Pacific tree frogs climb?
Sticky toe pads let them cling to vegetation, windows, and siding near lights.
When do Pacific tree frogs breed?
Winter and spring rains trigger choruses in ponds, ditches, and slow streams.
What is a group of pacific tree frogs called?
A group of Pacific Tree Frogs is called an army.
What is a baby pacific tree frog called?
A baby Pacific Tree Frog is called a tadpole.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Pacific Tree Frog:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Pseudacris regilla.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Pseudacris regilla. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Pseudacris regilla. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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Global Animal Guide editorial standards
How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.
