Generally, D. versicolor is believed to have evolved from D. chrysoscelis in the last major ice age, when areas of extremely low temperatures divided populations.

[5] Both D. chrysoscelis and D. versicolor have black-marked bright orange to yellow patches on their hind legs, which distinguishes them from other treefrogs, such as D.

[7] Similar hidden bright patterns are common in various Lepidoptera, for instance moths of the genus Catocala.

[11] The range of D. chrysoscelis is more southerly; it is apparently the species found in the lower elevation Piedmont and Coastal Plain of Virginia and the Carolinas.

D. chrysoscelis has also been observed to practice freeze tolerance in a lab setting, which could help it survive in cold climates.

[14] Studies have revealed that Cope's gray treefrog could be more resilient to climate change in the long-term, though populations may suffer short-term drawbacks.

In the Southeastern United States, Cope's gray treefrog breeds and calls from May to August.

Isolated males start calling from woodland areas during warm weather a week or more before migrating to temporary ponds to breed.

Chorusing is most frequent at night, but individuals often call during daytime in response to thunder or other loud noises.

[3][9][23] The diet of Cope's gray treefrog primarily consists of insects such as moths, mites, spiders, plant lice, and harvestmen.

[27] They can withstand the physiological challenges of corporeal freezing, by accumulating cryoprotective compounds of hepatic origin, including glycerol, urea, and glucose.