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Taxonomy
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Lissamphibia
Order - Anura
Family - Hylidae

Circadian Cycle - Nocturnal

Physical Characteristics
The first thing you are bound to notice on this amphibian are the bold, bright red eyes. This frog, as an adult, is brightly colored all over. The body is predominantly neon green but it is usually splashed with other colors like blue or yellow. The upper legs are usually bright blue and the feet are orange or red. The coloration of this tree frog is definitely eye catching. The Red-eyed tree frog can change its color with its mood from a darker green to a reddish-brown. These tree frogs have suction cup toe pads. In this frog, males are smaller than the females. Males usually reach a length of about 2 inches while females are usually 3 inches in length.

Range
Red-eyed tree frogs inhabit parts of South America and most of Central America. They can be observed as far north as Southern Mexico.

Habitat
These frogs live in a neotropical environment. They prefer the lowland rainforest areas close to rivers and the adjacent hills.

Diet
These frogs are carnivores and feed primarily at night, feasting on crickets, moths, flies, grasshoppers, and sometimes even smaller frogs! Basically, they will eat any insect or food item that they can fit into their mouths. In captivity, babies eat mostly fruit flies and pinhead crickets.

Reproduction
Reproduction usually takes place during the rainy season, which is October to March. Courtship is initiated by croaking and quivering. These frogs reproduce by the process called amplexus. This is common for frogs. Males attach themselves to the backs of females when the female's eggs are mature. The male fertilizes the eggs as they emerge from the female. He will not leave until all of the eggs have been laid, usually 30 - 50 pale eggs. This process may last for a day or longer. Reproduction takes place on the underside of leaves. The female must hold on with her suction cup toes. She is now holding on for the weight of both frogs! As each clutch emerges from the female she must enter the water and fill her bladder with water. If she does not, the next clutch of eggs to emerge will dry up and die.

When the females enter the water, it's sort of like entering a war zone for the male, who is still attached to her back. If other males see the couple, they may try to fight the male off of the female and take his place. If they succeed, they get the chance to fertilize some eggs. Most frog species lay their eggs in the water.

This particular tree frog lays them on the underside of leaves that hang over a body of water. The egg clutches develop into tadpoles quickly. Tadpoles swim around in their egg cases until they burst open. This rupturing of all the eggs occurs within a one-minute time frame. The fluid that is released witht he tadpoles helps to wash them down the leaf and into the water. Tadpoles metamorphose into tree frogs after 75 - 80 days.

Life Span
Unknown

Social Habits
Red-eyed tree frogs have a very musical mating ritual. When one male starts croaking the rest of the males in the area chime in as well. This "song" is sung to attract the females. Quivering also occurs at the height of the "song". The croaking continues as the males jump from leaf to leaf to establish a territory. The males inflate their vocal sacs and rise on all fours to deter males from their territory and to attract females. Males will sometimes face each other and perform the quivering ritual. The males size each other up while demonstrating their strength through intimidation. During this stand-off, even the smallest movement can evoke a wrestling match between the male rivals. They may climb on top of one another, or even pin their opponent down onto a leaf.

At some point during the quivering ritual, the females become intrigued and come out of hiding. Even though she may try to attract little attention to herself, the males will all try to jump on her back and fight for the best position to hang on. The poor female may have to carry more than one male for days until all the males fall off but one, or she finds a suitable spot to lay her eggs. Once the spot is chosen, the males will all try to win the chance to be the proud father by fertilizing the egg clutches.

Special Adaptations
The most noticeable part of the Red-eyed tree frog is, of course, its red eyes. Some may wonder why a frog would have such distinguishing eyes. Does it not make him more noticeable to his predators? This is a good question, but the Red-eyed tree frog has evolved with these particular eyes for a very good reason -- startle coloration! Since the tree frog sleeps during the day, the redness of their eyes is covered up and they blend in better with their surroundings. But if something does start to bother them and they open up those huge, bright red eyes, it may scare their predator away!

The feet of this colorful creature are also important to its survival. Tree frogs have feet like suction cups which help them to attach to leaves, branches and the trunks of trees. This is important for mating, sleeping and eating. Even though Red-eyed tree frogs spend a large portion of their time in trees, they are frogs after all and they are good swimmers.

At the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere
Our red-eyed tree frogs will soon be on exhibit. Their new home is being prepared and should be opened shortly. Already on exhibit is a close relative of the Red-eyed Tree Frog, a beautiful Maroon-Eyed Tree Frog. These and other great amphibians are on exhibit in The Unseen New World.

Status
Relatively stable.

Conservation
Although these beautiful creatures are not considered threatened, the condition of their habitat is of great concern. Problems such as global warming, wetland drainage, atmospheric and climatic changes, pollution, deforestation have all taken a severe toll on the rainforest. With less rainforest comes fewer tree frogs. Amphibian populations are known to suffer environmental effects sooner than other populations. This makes them a good indicator species. Pictures of the Red-eyed tree frog are seen all over the world. The have become a "poster child" for the Save the Rainforest campaign. Their bright coloration and their status as an indicator species makes them the perfect candidate to bring attention to this cause.

The rainforest is full of many beautiful creatures and beautiful discoveries. There are many animals that have not even been discovered yet in the rainforest. Medical researchers even find ingredients here for new medications to help people. The rainforest is an important resource that we cannot afford to waste.