[3] Dryophytes gratiosus is the largest native tree frog in the United States, acquiring its name from the raucous and explosive call.

[5] It is variable in color, but easily recognizable due to the characteristic dark, round markings on its dorsum.

Individuals may be bright or dull green, brown, yellowish, or gray in color with small, grey and green-yellow spots.

Its skin can also shift colors depending on lighting, time of day, temperature, or its surroundings.

The calls of the barking tree frog sound like a church bell and have been described as "tonk" and "doonk".

They slowly become in poorer condition until they either die or leave the pond to replenish their energy requirements.

[10] Male barking tree frogs will move down from the treetops and make their way to a nearby pond in the evenings.

[12] Dryophytes gratiosus is a polygynous species, the female choosing the male on the basis of his call.

[14] Females however will generally use call amplitude and frequency to select a mate, as these characteristics correlate to body size.

[18] The barking tree frog, reproduces aquatically but migrates to land to lay their eggs.

[19] Most male Dryophytes gratiosus have been reported calling in an inflated condition at the surface of shallow water, usually among aquatic vegetation.