Red-eyed treefrog

Physical features

• These frogs are sexually dimorphic, with males typically reaching body lengths of 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) while females reach 3.5-4 inches (9-10 cm).

• Males also develop keratinized dark patches on the tops of their thumbs during the breeding season.

• These frogs are green dorsally, ranging from bright leaf green to dark green and have sides marked with yellow stripes over a pinkish, orange, or blue background. The fingers and toes are bright orange.

• As implied by their common name, these frogs have bright red eyes with vertical black pupils.

• Red-eyed treefrogs may also have large white raised splotches on their backs.

Diet: Insectivore

• Wild – a variety of insects and other invertebrates

• Zoo - crickets, house flies, small roaches

Reproduction

• Males call from vegetation surrounding standing water and will often call in different directions to increase the chances of attracting a female.

• When a female approaches, the male will climb onto her back and grip her sides with his forelimbs, a position known as amplexus.

• The female will lay her eggs on leaves overhanging the water and the male fertilizes them as she lays. Other males may try to either knock the original male off of the female or try to fertilize the eggs, too.

• A single female may lay up to 5 clutches of 20-50 eggs each in one night.

• When it is time to hatch, the tadpoles wriggle inside of the egg until they pop out and then drop into the water below, where they will continue their development.

Interpretive Information

• The red-eyed treefrog is often considered an ambassador of the rainforest as it is a very well-known and popularly photographed species due to its vivid coloration.

• Tadpoles of this species have a whiplike tail tip that they use to keep them in a near vertical position in the water column.

• These frogs are nocturnal and during the day, lay on the undersides of leaves with their eyes closed and limbs tucked under their bodies to both provide camouflage against daytime predators and to help preserve moisture.

• When active at night, the vivid green dorsal color often shifts to a dark green or brown. It is unclear why this occurs.

• The bright coloration of this frog's eyes and sides are believed to be a form of both warning coloration and an example of flash coloring. Red-eyed treefrogs have many compounds in their skin, some of which are toxic and distasteful to predators. Also, when sleeping during the day, the brighter colors of the frogs’ eyes and sides are not visible, but when disturbed these bright areas are suddenly revealed, which may disorient a predator just long enough for the frog to jump to safety.

Updated September 2024