Red-Eyed Tree Frog
Red-Eyed Tree FRogs
Agalychnis callidryas
The unofficial symbol of Costa Rica, the Red-Eyed Tree Frog has red eyes, a green body, yellow and blue side strips, and orange feet. They are rather difficult to find, despite their vibrant colouration. The humid rainforests of Costa Rica are home to the vibrantly coloured Red-Eyed Tree Frog, also known as the red-eyed leaf frog or gaudy leaf frog. The body of this iconic amphibian is lime green with blue and yellow striped flanks and with white along the underbelly and inner legs.
Despite their striking colouration, Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are not poisonous. The most prominent physical characteristic of Agalychnis callidryas is their bright red eyes. This vivid eye colour is a natural defence against potential predators known as startle colouration. If disturbed, the frogs open their large red eyes and expose their brilliant orange feet. Birds and snakes are often so startled by the sudden flashes of colour that they hesitate momentarily, allowing valuable seconds for the frog to escape.
This species of frog is arboreal and rarely descends to the ground. Their feet are equipped with tiny suctions disks which enable them to move with ease along leaves and branches. Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are excellent jumpers and climbers and are well-suited to their life above ground. Nocturnal carnivores, they camouflage themselves in the rainforest canopy and ambush insects, moths and occasionally smaller frogs using their long, sticky tongues.
Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are found in the neotropical rainforests of southern Mexico, throughout Central America, and in northern South America. They are common all over Costa Rica and can be spotted in the lowland rainforests of Tortuguero National Park, along the Central Pacific Coast in Manuel Antonio National Park and in the cooler regions of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.
Despite their striking colouration, Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are not poisonous. The most prominent physical characteristic of Agalychnis callidryas is their bright red eyes. This vivid eye colour is a natural defence against potential predators known as startle colouration. If disturbed, the frogs open their large red eyes and expose their brilliant orange feet. Birds and snakes are often so startled by the sudden flashes of colour that they hesitate momentarily, allowing valuable seconds for the frog to escape.
This species of frog is arboreal and rarely descends to the ground. Their feet are equipped with tiny suctions disks which enable them to move with ease along leaves and branches. Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are excellent jumpers and climbers and are well-suited to their life above ground. Nocturnal carnivores, they camouflage themselves in the rainforest canopy and ambush insects, moths and occasionally smaller frogs using their long, sticky tongues.
Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are found in the neotropical rainforests of southern Mexico, throughout Central America, and in northern South America. They are common all over Costa Rica and can be spotted in the lowland rainforests of Tortuguero National Park, along the Central Pacific Coast in Manuel Antonio National Park and in the cooler regions of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.