Agalychnis callidryas

Red-eyed tree frog
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Suborder:	Neobatrachia
Family:	Hylidae
Genus:	Agalychnis
Species:	A. callidryas
Binomial name
Red-Eyed Tree Frog (Cope, 1862)

For other species commonly known as the red-eyed tree frog, see Litoria chloris

The red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas) is an arboreal hylid native to Neotropical rainforests in Central America.

Description

Specimen displaying its bright side markings

As its name suggests, the red-eyed tree frog has red eyes with vertically narrowed pupils. It has a vibrant green body with yellow and blue vertically striped sides. Its webbed feet and toes are orange or yellow. Flank and thigh coloration varies considerably by region. The bright colors of “A. callidryas” are thought to function as aposematic signals, but this has not been confirmed. More specifically, scientists believe its red eyes are intended to shock predators, causing them to hesitate, thus allowing the frog to leap to safety. Males usually range from 2.0 to 2.5 in (5.1 to 6.4 cm), while females range from 2.5 to 3.0 in (6.4 to 7.6 cm). Young frogs are typically brown in color, turning green as they mature, though adult frogs can change their color slightly depending on mood and environment. The skin on the red-eyed tree frog's stomach is soft and fragile skin, whereas the back is thicker and rougher.

The red-eyed tree frog has three eyelids, and sticky pads on its toes. Phyllomedusid tree frogs are arboreal animals, meaning they spend a majority of their lives in trees; they are excellent jumpers.

Specimen in cryptic water conservation posture

Red-eyed tree frogs in axillary amplexus

Red-eyed tree frogs are not poisonous and rely on camouflage to protect themselves. During the day, they remain motionless, cover their blue sides with their back legs, tuck their bright feet under their stomachs, and shut their red eyes. Thus, they appear almost completely green, and well hidden among the foliage.

Diet

Red-eyed tree frogs are carnivores that eat crickets, moths, flies, and other insects. For tadpoles, fruit flies and pinhead crickets are the meals of choice. They hunt only at night.

Threats

The following have been listed as threats to the survival of the species on the IUCN Red List:

• Residential and commercial development
  • Housing and urban areas
• Agriculture and aquaculture
  • Annual and perennial nontimber crops
    • Shifting agriculture
    • Small-holder farming
    • Agroindustrial farming
  • Livestock farming and ranching
    • Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming
    • Agroindustrial grazing, ranching or farming
• Biological resource use
  • Logging and wood harvesting
• Pollution
  • Agricultural and forestry effluents

Reproduction

A. callidryas at night

During mating season, the male frogs shake the branches where they are sitting to improve their chances of finding a mate by keeping rivals at bay. This is the first evidence that tree-dwelling vertebrates use vibration to communicate. Some frogs communicate by croaking deep sounds for warnings and high sounds for mating. When rainfall is at its highest, a male red-eyed tree frog calls "chack" to get the attention of the female, which then carries him on her back around for up to several hours during the oviposition process. The female chooses a leaf above a pond or large puddle, and lays her clutch of eggs. The eggs develop into small tadpoles, which hatch after several days and fall into the water below. Dragonflies, fish, and water beetles prey on the tadpoles. They remain in the water from three weeks to several months, until they metamorphose, or develop into frogs. Snakes, spiders, bats, and birds of the rainforest are predators of this frog. After full metamorphosis weeks later, the juveniles that survive the first few weeks crawl back into the undergrowth and security of plants in the vicinity of these pools, often in the hollows of tubular plants like bromeliads. Juvenile specimens prey on very small flies and insects during the first months of their lives. The young mature after two years and begin mating at the age of 3–4 yr. These tree frogs are known to live as long as five years (data from captive breeding programs), depending on the health and conditions of their habitat (i.e. abundant plant growth, plenty of fresh water, and an abundance of small and larger insects on which to prey).

They are sometimes successfully bred in captivity if kept under adequate conditions in high-humidity vivaria (e.g. by using misting equipment), tropical plants such as Bromelia and other epiphyte plants, together with well-aerated water pools. Their captive habitat should have an 11-12-hour light cycle and an average day temperature of 26 to 28°C (with night-time averages of 22-35°C). Simulating a rainy season once a year in November/December will encourage reproduction.

Taxonomy

Red-eyed tree frogs are closely related to chorus frogs, which have the same body style and many of the same habits, though chorus frog are more vocal.

Distribution and habitat

Red-eyed tree frogs inhabit areas near rivers and ponds in rainforests from southern Mexico, through Central America, to northern Colombia.

See also

• Litoria chloris — the Australian red-eyed tree frog

External links

Data related to Agalychnis callidryas at Wikispecies Media related to Agalychnis callidryas at Wikimedia Commons

• Red-Eyed Tree Frog Facts
• Honolulu Zoo: Red-eyed Tree Frog
• Caring for Your Red-Eyed Tree Frogs
• Red-Eyed Tree Frog Care Information at Caresheets.net
• Red Eyed Tree Frog Care at RedEyedTreeFrog.org
• Article Road: List of All Frog Breeds: Things You Can Do to Ensure Your Frog Has a Long, Happy and Healthy Life: Red Eyed Tree Frog
• Aqualand: Keeping Your Red-Eyed Tree Frogs
• Red Eyed Tree Frogs as pets