Ghost the Pacific tree frog will debut just in time for Northwest Trek’s spookiest celebration of the year – Hoot ‘n’ Howl.

Keepers named the male frog after the white ghost apple, keeping in theme with the wildlife park’s other two tree frogs, Cosmic and Fuji.

“We were already planning on adding another frog to join Cosmic and Fuji when we found Ghost with an injury to his hind leg, looking very pale, in the Eagle Passage habitat and wanted to help him,” explained keeper Miranda.

Miranda took Ghost to Northwest Trek’s veterinary clinic, where head veterinarian Dr. Allison and veterinary technician Tracy treated his wounds, gave him antibiotics, and fed him crickets. They even gave him a child’s barn playhouse to live in as he healed.

Now fully cured, Ghost is thriving in his new habitat in the Cheney Discovery Center with Cosmic and Fuji in their temperature-controlled environment, where they’re fed crickets multiple times a week.

As for Ghost’s former living quarters, the barn, it will now be an enrichment experience for all three frogs to explore often.

Look for Ghost, Cosmic, and Fuji during Hoot ‘n’ Howl Oct. 13-14 and 20-21 from 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

About Pacific tree frogs

Pacific tree frogs vary in color, though they have a dark eye strip and rounded toe pads. Females are larger than males. (Fuji weighs .21 ounces, Cosmic weighs .17, and Ghost weighs .17). The species ranges from British Columbia, Canada to the tip of Baja California, Mexico, and eastward to Montana and Nevada. They can be found in every county in Washington.

Unlike chameleons that change their color to match their surroundings, the Pacific tree frog changes color based on the air temperature and humidity. The frogs don’t control this change; it happens naturally within a few minutes. The color change is for precisely the reason you think — a defense mechanism to reduce the likelihood that the tree frog will become a meal for a bullfrog, raccoon, heron, snake, or other predator.