Need Additional Assistance .... Tree Frogs!

[furcat]

Last week the world decided it needed more tree frogs and last week in the tub I have outside about 15 more froglets that are "ready to go" were formed.

I have been observing what happens as the weather gets cold and during a cold snap last weekend the tadpoles survived the cold: it got down to 41 degrees Farenheit - but the froglets died. However, the froglets were in the tub of water, not on the ground.

So, we had another cold snap over the last weekend. This time it got down to mid-30s, so, I brought the froglets inside and left the tadpoles outside. This morning the tadpoles are still there.

Inside the house, though, I have a bowl full of tiny frogs!

Here is the temperature range for this upcoming week:

• Oct 16: high 57, low 47
• Oct 17: high 69, low 48
• Oct 18: high 72, low 49
• Oct 19: high 75, low 53
• Oct 20: high 74, low 60
• Oct 21: high 76, log 54
• Oct 22: high 52, low 50
• Oct 23: high 62, low 50
• Oct 24: high 69, low 51
• Oct 25: high 66, low 49
• Oct 27: high 59, low 45
• Oct 29: high 51, low 46
• Oct 30: high 63, low 46

So, my questions:

1. Can I release the little frogs and will they have a chance to survive? It seems like next Wednesday - Friday would be a good option
2. All but 2 of them have the stubby tails still.
3. If I do release them should I release them on the ground vs. the tub full of water?
4. And, what would be the best release option .... near the house, out in the grass, etc.?
5. Is my observation about the froglets dying in the tub when it gets cold accurate?

Thank you in advance.

[Herpin Man]

If they were mine, I would release them. The sooner the better. It is warm enough now. Find the nearest suitable wetland, one with lots of vegetation around, and release them there.
They may not feed again before hibernation, but if they go straight to hibernation, they should still have enough energy to sustain them. Gray treefrogs are one of the few amphibians cold-tolerant enough to hibernate near the surface of the ground, where they survive freezing by producing an anti-freeze in the cells. That does not mean that they are immune to a sudden cold snap, though.
That is what I would do.
Your other option is to attempt to house and feed all of those hungry little mouths until spring.

[furcat]

If they were mine, I would release them. The sooner the better. It is warm enough now. Find the nearest suitable wetland, one with lots of vegetation around, and release them there.
They may not feed again before hibernation, but if they go straight to hibernation, they should still have enough energy to sustain them. Gray treefrogs are one of the few amphibians cold-tolerant enough to hibernate near the surface of the ground, where they survive freezing by producing an anti-freeze in the cells. That does not mean that they are immune to a sudden cold snap, though.
That is what I would do.
Your other option is to attempt to house and feed all of those hungry little mouths until spring.

Thank you for your information. That's exactly what I have been thinking. I definitely want to release them. We have plenty of wet places around our property, and it does look seasonable for the next 10 days.

I appreciate your advice.

[furcat]

I released them today. It was cool watching them "disappear." Photos attached. There are about 15 left in the tub and most of them have 4 legs. They may all just make it to frogdom.

[Herpin Man]

I love gray tree frogs. Just love them.
I was going to get some little ones started this year and put them in my paludarium, but I just keep it too warm for them.
Thanks for the photos.