My favorite holiday? Halloween, of course!

Lemur leaf frog (Hylomantis lemur)

Lemur leaf frog (Hylomantis lemur)

Cute Frog of the Week: November 29, 2010

Lemur is Latin for “spirit” or “ghost.” The lemur frog is so named because of its nocturnal tendencies and, some might say, its ghoulishly bulging eyes. Rather than hopping, this leaf frog uses its thin arms and legs to slowly climb hand over hand towards its prey, spiriting its target away in the dark of night. Seems this little guy may have been a good companion for trick-or-treating! Unfortunately, the lemur frog is endangered, and many of its Western populations in Panama have been wiped out by chytridiomycosis.  There’s a chance its spirit may be all that’s left some day.

Photo credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo.

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