The other day, when I opened the morning paper I was really surprised to see this little creature staring at me. Big red eyes and orange feet pictured as if it were holding on to one side of the paper….beautiful! Yes, that is when I took it upon myself to write about this unusual and photogenic creature.
Red eyed tree frogs – What are they?
Red eyed tree frogs are nocturnal inhabitants of the rainforests that are located in Central and South America as well as Southern Mexico. These amphibians have bright red eyes, bright green bodies, orange toes and bright yellow and blue sides.
These frogs love to jump and are adept at it too, especially with each toe pad featuring something like a suction cup!
What does the green tree frog eat?
The green tree frog is carnivorous in nature and eats crickets and other insects.
What is the average size of the red eyed tree frog?
The female frog grows to about 3 inches in length while the male frog grows to about 2 inches.
What is the average life span of the red eyed tree frog?
This amphibian will be able to live about 5 years in the wild.
How does the red eyed tree frog protect itself?
The green color that the red eyed tree frog is blessed with helps it blend into the surroundings. In other instances, when disturbed, it opens its large eyes and startles its predator for a split second. This defence mechanism that is known as startle coloration is what helps this frog protect itself.
How and when does the red eyed tree frog reproduce?
The rainy season which ranges from October to March is the time that the red eye tree frog reproduces. The process begins with the male frogs croaking and quivering in order to catch the attention of a female frog. Once the male frogs are able find a female, they climb on her back and she has to carry them around for a day or two. Often in this period, a few of the male frogs might fall off.
Now the female frog is ready to lay the eggs and does so; on the underside of a leaf that is found hanging over a stream or pond with a single male or more on her back. After the female frog has finished laying the eggs, also called a clutch, she has to enter the water in order to refill her bladder so that the next clutch is not dry. Even while swimming the female frog carries a male on her back, this male or another that attaches itself to her underwater may fertilize the next clutch.
The eggs then finally develop into mature tadpoles and swim fast until the egg sack bursts and the water in it washes them down the leaf and into the water below. These tadpoles live in the water until the next 75 to 80 days, which is the time taken for them to develop into froglettes.
Is the red-eyed tree frog threatened or endangered?
Thankfully, this amphibian is neither threatened not endangered, the main concern now is that their habitat is shrinking at an alarming rate.
More Froggy Facts
- Red-eyed leap frog is another name for this species of frogs.
- Army is the group name given to the red eyed tree frog.
- This amphibian has inner thighs that are blue in color.
- Some creatures like dragonflies, fish and water beetles prey on the tadpoles belonging to the red eyed tree frog.
- Snakes, spiders, birds and bats feed on red eyed tree frogs.
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