Frog Tees

Rainforest Animals – Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis Callidryas)

Debs on Jul 13th 2010

Photo © Brian Gratwicke - CC License

Large red eyes popping out of tiny neon green body! This rainforest animal looks more like a character from a Disney movie or an amphibian super hero then a mere frog. The Red-Eyed Tree Frogs have developed iconic status among rainforest animals because of their look. However, contrary to popular belief, the Red-eyed tree frogs are not poisonous. There unique coloring is attributed to defense strategy. Such color coded defense is quite common among rainforest animals.

The Red-eyed tree frogs are predominantly found in southern Mexico, Central America, northern South America. They grow somewhere between 1.5 and 2.75 inches and have a life span of 5 years. These frogs are nocturnal carnivores. Despite their coloring they hide among leaves and catch smaller preys like insects with their sticky tongues. During day times, these rainforest animals sleep while being stuck to the bottom of large leafs, which entirely camouflages them. These rainforest animals diet mainly costs of anything that it can fit into its mouth, which can be another frog.

Even though these frogs prefer to live near water bodies, their feet are actually well equipped with suckers to climb trees and help them stick to leafs upside down! Their lime green body also helps them merge into the surroundings while stuck in such a way. Even though their body has bright coloring, the tree frogs do not show these colorings when hunting or sleeping. The bright red eyes of the tree frogs the result of an extra membrane which shields the frogs eyes from damage.

If attacked these frogs flash open their red bulging eyes, stick out their bright orange webbed feet and inflate their bright blue and yellow sides - a rather colorful display from their camouflaged look. This display generally startles the predators long enough to allow the tree frogs to run for it. Scientists call this kind of defense the "startle coloration".

The red eyed tree frogs generally breed during the rainy seasons i.e. during the months of October through March. Similar to the mating ritual of other frogs, theirs constitute of lots of croaking by the male) a full our bar brawl which often culminates in the strongest standing left on the branch. Sometimes this wrestling match is conducted while hanging off the females back while the female is actually stuck to the underside of a leaf. Sometimes the female actually has to hold up the weight of several frogs clinging from its back at the same time. As often the case the seeming winner of round one may not survive till the eggs are laid or the tadpoles are hatched.

Even though this rainforest animal is not on the endangered list, the fast decline in its habitat is a concerning.

Visit rainforestanimals.info for more information on rainforest animals.

Article Source: Rainforest Animals - Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis Callidryas)

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