Red-Eyed Tree Frog

ANIMAL:
Red-Eyed Tree Frog Agalychnis callidryas

Type of Animal:
Frog

Habitat:
Rainforest, humid lowland areas near/along ponds/rivers, hilly areas surrounding rainforests close to rivers, temporary/permanent ponds

Location(s):
Ranges from S Mexico to N Colombia

Appearance:
Vibrant green frog w/ noticeable red eyes, yellow/blue stripe areas on sides on many individuals, orange/red webbed feet/toes

Food/Diet:
Crickets, flies, grasshoppers, moths, moth larvae, beetle larvae, fly larvae, locusts, spiders, worms, smaller frogs

Status in Wild:
Stable

Conservation:
Breeding in zoos, aquariums, & herpetoculture

Lifestyle:
Small groups of around 4-5 frogs

Additional Info:

Called:
Male
Female
Young: Tadpole
Group: Army
 
Weight:
Male: 0.21 oz
Female: 0.52 oz
 
Gestation:
1 week 

Life Span:
5 years

Body Length:
Male: 0.787 in
Female: 1.18-1.57 in
Young: 0.2 in

Main predators of adults are snakes, birds, bats, crocodilians, tarantulas, procyonids, squirrels, monkeys, armadillos, felids, predatory fish, & larger amphibians. Many fish, dragonflies, & water beetles eat tadpoles.
 
Females lay multiple clutches w/ total number of eggs varying from 11-100. Eggs usually laid in leaf undersides above water source that tadpoles can drop into. Eggs hatch a week later.
 
After 3 weeks-3 months in water, tadpoles metamorphose into froglets & take to land/trees & mature at close to a year old.
 
Sticky toe pads help them cling to leaves & other surfaces.
 
These frogs highly arboreal.
 
These frogs not poisonous but bright coloration can deter predators. They rely more on camouflage.
 
Like most tree frogs, they’re excellent jumpers.
 
Like many frogs, they use their eyes to help them swallow, retracting eyes to push meal down throat.
 
Active at night (nocturnal).
 
Males make loud croaks to attract females & softer chuckles to deter other males. Male competition often triggers more successful breeding.
 
By day they conceal brightly-colored flanks w/ limbs & close eyes helping them camouflage/preventing water loss.

Fun Fact(s):
They’re fairly popular pets.
 
Sudden appearance of red eyes may startle predators giving frog chance to flee.
 
Young froglets have been observed to change color in parts of range.
 
Scientific name means “beautiful tree nymph.”
 
These frogs exhibit phenotypic plasticity hatching early in response to disturbances.