Seeing spots.

Posted on June 13, 2011 by Lindsay

Yellow-flecked glass frog (Cochranella albomaculata)

Cute Frog of the Week: June 13, 2011

This sleepy-looking frog’s vibrant skin is enough to awaken anybody. The yellow-flecked glass frog (Cochranella albomaculata) lives in the lowlands of Central America and northern South America. This frog prefers the sticky humid air that hangs around elevations from sea level to 1,500 meters above sea level. Its golden brown eyes, that seem to almost pop out of its head, and glassy yellow polka-dotted skin are common sights in the forest vegetation around freshwater streams where its larvae develop.

This species is listed by the IUCN as ‘least concern’ due to its wide range, but monitoring has revealed that this species is declining rapidly in some areas due to chytridiomycosis. Therefore, this species is a priority amphibian rescue candidate species. As a species occurring in lowlands, it is probably less vulnerable to chytridiomycosis in the lowland parts of its range, but we have a lot to learn about the absolute effects of Bd in warmer lowland areas.

Photo credit: Brian Gratwicke, Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project

Every week the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project posts a new photo of a cute frog from anywhere in the world with an interesting, fun and unique story to tell. Be sure to check back every Monday for the latest addition.

Send us your own cute frogs by uploading your photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/cutefrogoftheweek/

Living the high life.

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Lindsay

Panama cross-banded treefrog (Simlisca sila)

Cute Frog of the Week: June 6, 2011

Nightfall in the misted lowland forests of Costa Rica, Panama, and northern Columbia awakens a brown frog with characteristic blue thighs. The Panama cross-banded treefrog (Similisca sila) hides among the dense overhanging vegetation on forest floors. The moisture of mist and droplets of water are not enough for the little frog; it stays close to slow-moving stream banks and shallow rocky pools where its tadpoles can be found. It is not afraid of the dark or of heights. It can venture higher in the forest or even to more open landscapes if it so desires. The Panama cross-banded treefrog can live in secondary forest complete with dense vegetation. It has been found ranging from sea level to 500 meters above sea level.

This beautiful frog is a common amphibian species found in Panama and Colombia. Its range is expanding in Costa Rica, where it is still considered rare. Though the Panama cross-banded treefrog is not considered endangered, it is still vulnerable to deforestation, pollution, illegal crops and human settlement.

Photo credit: Brian Gratwicke, Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project

Send us your own cute frogs by uploading your photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/cutefrogoftheweek/

Cute in any form.

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Lindsay

Highland color-form of the Limosa harlequin frog (Atelopus limosus)

Cute Frog of the Week: May 30, 2011

Camouflaged among the moss-covered rocks in the highlands and lowlands of Panama, the Limosa harlequin frog (Atelopus limosus) is difficult to spot even with its yellow clinging toes. These green-and-black-eyed amphibians leave their superb hiding places during the dry season and make their way to the fast-flowing streams of the Panamanian rainforest. Females lay their eggs in streambeds, where eager males wait to fertilize them. Laying clutches of eggs in faster-flowing waters may seem treacherous for the tiny frogs, but they brave the risk. Eggs that are laid in those areas of streams are less likely to be preyed upon, or to face competition from other frog species.

Lowland color-form of the Limosa harlequin frog (Atelopus limosus)

Limosa harlequin frog tadpoles are not left to be swept away by hurried streams once they hatch. Suction disks on their bellies help anchor them to the rocks in the streambeds. However, the species seems to be losing its grip in its fight to survive. It is listed as endangered in the wild and the population is still decreasing. It is facing threats ranging from deforestation to pollution. Those threats are compounded by the ravaging affects of the chytrid fungus. The Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project has brought the Limosa harlequin frog into captivity and is learning how to successfully breed them, giving hope for the survival of the species.

Photo credit: Brian Gratwicke, Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project

Send us your own cute frogs by uploading your photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/cutefrogoftheweek/

Regard my bark.

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Lindsay

Granular poison dart frog (Dendrobates granuliferus)

Cute Frog of the Week: May 23, 2011

During the wet season, male granular poison frogs (which are very toxic as a way to defend against predators) inhabit lowland humid forests with fast-flowing streams, vocalizing incessantly. Ranging from Costa Rica to Panama, this frog behaves rather aggressively, especially during the wet season, the time of year when males divide stream banks into their “territories” so as to court female poison frogs. The frogs use the territories as calling sites, in addition to places to lay eggs. The male frogs unvaryingly defend these areas from other males, competing over choice females.

Experimental studies in Costa Rica suggest that the male granular poison frog spends the majority of its time and energy defending its calling site. And the data from these studies also show that these warning signals are more vocal (acoustic) than visual. But you can be sure that these calls differ somewhat from those used to attract females! If an encroaching male granular poison frog were to dare approach too closely, these frogs have no qualms about engaging physically. The lengths they will go to defend their territory epitomize their unique aggressive behavior.

Although adaptable to habitat destruction, fragmentation, and human encroachment, these frogs seem to prefer primary forests, and their population numbers are declining. Studies indicate that granular poison frog densities are highest on stream banks in primary forests. But no matter how many males lay claim to a particular mountain stream, you can be sure that even though territory sizes may have increased in these cases of lowered density, these cute frogs will not suddenly become amicable or even tolerant of males that come too close!

Photo credit: Brian Kubicki, Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center

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I wasn’t in Alice in Wonderland – but with the right script, I could be a star.

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Lindsay

: Budgett’s frog (Lepidobactrachus laevis)

Cute Frog of the Week: May 16, 2011

A large, stout aquatic frog, Budgett’s frogs occur in the Gran Chaco of South America, a semiarid region extending into northern Argentina, southern Paraguay and much of Bolivia.

During the dry winter months, Budgett’s frogs remain inactive underground, encased in a hard shell composed of layers of unshed skin. These guys were into cocooning before it was popular. In this case, they’re not catching up on their reading, bonding with family members or Web surfing. The cocoon in this case protects them from excessive water loss and allows the frog to persist until the rains arrive, signaling the beginning of the wet summer months (October to February). The heavy spring or summer rains flood the chaco and create many temporary pools or “pozos” which provide suitable habitat.

These frogs appear to be nocturnal sit-and-wait ambush predators. Remaining motionless while submerged in the water or soft mud with only their eyes and nostrils visible, they wait among grasses and reeds for prey to come within grasp of their strong, powerful jaws. Don’t let the sly smile fool you – this is a very aggressive frog. When disturbed, they inflate themselves and stand on their outstretched limbs to appear larger. And if that didn’t convince you to go away, the Budgett’s frog will lunge, bite, and then emit a piercing shriek. In fact, the name for this species in Guarani is kukurú-chiní or “the toad that shrieks.” Quite a reputation for a smiling frog, eh?

That’s just the half of it. You should see the tadpoles. When they hatch and begin feeding, their uniqueness becomes even more apparent. The tadpoles are carnivorous and cannibalistic and begin feeding almost immediately. The cartilages that support the larval jaws are expanded laterally to create a wide, gaping mouth that the tadpoles of this species use to ingest their prey whole. Someone should remake John Carpenter’s “The Fog’ into ‘The Frog.’ These animals would be a natural.

But Hollywood will need to move quickly. Budgett’s frogs do not appear to be particularly abundant where they occur. Combined with their strict habitat requirements, Budgett’s frogs are vulnerable to habitat modification associated with agriculture and ranching where they occur. And like so many of their amphibian cousins, this species is also apparently susceptible to chytridiomycosis, with one death reported in a captive specimen.

Photo credit: Houston Zoo

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Can you feel the love tonight?

Posted on May 9, 2011 by Lindsay

: Boulenger’s snouted treefrog (Scinax boulengeri)

Cute Frog of the Week: May 9, 2011

These medium-sized, rainforest-loving frogs are known for their distinctive shape and ability to blend in seamlessly with their environment. The Boulenger’s snouted tree frog (Scinax boulengeri) lives in many tropical regions of the world and differs slightly depending on where it is found: Frogs found in areas of Costa Rica have more nodules on their skin than ones found in the Caribbean lowlands of Central America. This may be a feature that allows the frogs to better navigate their environments.

The Boulenger’s snouted tree frog is also quite a night owl. The frogs are commonly found out and about at night near the forest floor perching on bushes, stumps, logs and low trees. Their nocturnal nature is also important to producing offspring. These frogs have a prolonged breeding period, which lasts from May/June until August, and breed only at night. Males begin congregating at pond breeding sites soon after the first heavy rains of the season and start their 3- to 4-hour calls at dusk in areas bordering bodies of water, rarely moving from that spot during the night. These frogs are relatively common with stable populations and are regarded as secure or “Least Concern” by the IUCN.

Photo credit: Brian Gratwicke, Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project

Send us your own cute frogs by uploading your photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/cutefrogoftheweek/

A sad story with a golden glimmer of hope

Posted on May 2, 2011 by Lindsay

: Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus zeteki)

Cute Frog of the Week: May 2, 2011

Critically endangered since 2004, the endemic Panamanian golden frog has suffered a population decline of 80 percent over the last 10 years. An angular, dark yellow frog with a trademark swagger, the golden frog is a symbol of Panama’s abundant biodiversity. It is also well-known for its potent skin toxins, which it uses to protect itself against predators. A single frog’s skin contains enough nerve-disabling poison to kill 1,200 mice! Frequently found in and around high mountain forest streams, the golden frog in its golden-yellow, liberally spotted morph (individuals come in various colors and patterns) visually warns potential predators to stay away.

Despite its toxicity, the frog has found itself nearly defenseless against chytridiomycosis, the amphibian disease epidemic that has recently devastated frog populations and biodiversity throughout Central America. Because the range of this frog species is limited, extinction seems all too likely, unless human intervention succeeds in keeping the species around in captivity. Fortunately, an in-situ conservation program in western Panama (the El Valle Amphibian Conservation Center, aptly named EVACC) has led the conservation effort as part of the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project.

Frog declines raise a number of fascinating questions. For example, recent studies have shown that Panamanian golden frogs are making a last-ditch attempt to ward off infection by thermally killing the pathogen. Fortunately, researchers believe that the chytrid fungus does not thrive at temperatures 5 C above the frog’s normal body temperature. The frog attempts to increase its body temperature above normal levels by moving within its habitat to warmer places. As an ectotherm (a cold-blooded animal), the frog can only control its internal temperature by these behavioral adjustments to its external environment. Nonetheless, these efforts by wild golden frog populations may by in vain. Chytridiomycosis has so far prevailed, but intense conservation efforts in Panama keep hope alive. Panama’s symbol of amphibian beauty continues to awe humans in safe environments like EVACC. Re-introduction of these individuals and any offspring into the wild will, we are assured, only take place if and when the epidemic has abated.

Photo credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Send us your own cute frogs by uploading your photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/cutefrogoftheweek/

Do I look like an Easter egg?

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Lindsay

: Dyeing poison frog (Dendrobates tinctorius)

Cute Frog of the Week: April 11, 2011

The brightly colored beauty known as the dyeing poison frog, Dendrobates tinctorius, likes to spend its free time under the cover of mossy rocks in the lowland tropical forests of Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname. These cuties like their forest homes to be humid during the day but cool at night. Rocky streams with running water are a must. While these guys usually like to stay on the ground, some have been found at heights up to 5 meters in trees. When it comes to mating, the dyeing poison frogs are quite the amorous amphibians. Mating behavior starts with the male calling from his position in tree leaves or on the ground. The female is attracted by his calls and strokes the male’s snout and back in a typical poison frog courtship sequence. The male then leads the female to his chosen spot, where a clutch of 2-6 eggs are laid. How romantic! But life isn’t always so sweet for these beautiful creatures. One major threat these little guys face is that they are illegally collected for pet trade. Luckily, the International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the species as least concern because of their wide distribution and presumed large population. Their range also includes some protected areas, so don’t expect these fanciful frogs to “dye” out anytime soon!

Photo credit: Brian Gratwicke, Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project

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Hey, sexy!

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Lindsay

Mexican tree frog (Smilisca baudinii)

Cute Frog of the Week: April 18, 2011

This svelte silhouette belongs to a Mexican tree frog, Smilisca baudini, who is defying gravity with its leaf-clinging sticky toe pads. It’s probably waiting for the sun to go down, when exciting frog stuff really begins. If there’s been rain, look out—that’s prime breeding time. Males duet with females, forming wonk, wonk sounds into love songs. If a successful pairing occurs, they’ll find a shallow pool for the 2,500-3,500 eggs the female will release across the surface. During the day, you can find these guys sheltering under loose tree bark, burrowed in damp soil, or curled up in a big banana leaf. As a species considered of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, they can afford to chill out. Still, it doesn’t hurt to keep an eye out for that occasional spider or fly snack and, of course, beware of those frog-eating snakes!

Mexican tree frogs range in color from brown to green and can even change according to the circumstance. They always retain their classic pattern of dark patches that spreads across their backs and legs. A chunky frog with rather short legs, the Mexican tree frog is the largest tree frog found in the United States, with females reaching as large as 90 mm (3.5 inches). In the States they’re only found in Texas, though, and are most commonly found throughout Central America.

Photo credit: Joe Milmoe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Send us your own cute frogs by uploading your photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/cutefrogoftheweek/

I come in all shapes and sizes.

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Lindsay

: Strawberry Poison Dart Frog (Oophaga pumilio)

Cute Frog of the Week: April 11, 2011

The strawberry poison dart frog, Oophaga pumilio, is an amazingly beautiful little creature that normally reaches only 17 to 24 mm in length. Even though these cuties are tiny, their poison is potent. Like other poison dart frogs, skin coloration is this frog’s protection mechanism, indicating its toxicity and telling predators to stay away. This species has at least 15 different morphs, or forms, and can range in color patterns from blue with no spots to olive green and yellow with black flecks. In one of its most common forms, also known as the “blue jeans form,” the head and body of the poison dart frog are bright red or orange, with blue or black lower parts, giving the illusion that this tiny cutie is wearing pants! Males also have a special tan-grayish vocal pouch under the throat, which they use to defend their territory in the humid lowlands and forests of Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama.

These guys are fiercely territorial, sometimes defending territory that is up to 3 meters apart from other males! If someone provokes them or enters their “hopping” grounds, they aren’t afraid to challenge their opponents to a wrestling match. Another interesting fact about these dart frogs is that when it comes to breeding, the females really wear the pants. The females take matters into their own hands and approach the males to initiate breeding. Once the female has laid her eggs, it’s up to the male to tend to the clutch and keep them moist by—are you ready for this?—emptying his bladder on them until they hatch. The females will then carry the tadpoles on her back to small pools in bromeliads and will feed the offspring by laying unfertilized eggs in with the tadpoles as their primary food source. Both parents invest some serious time and resources in raising their young. Sounds like they deserve the “Parents of the Year” Award, right? While these brightly colored beauties do face threats, such as habitat loss and over-collection for the pet trade, there is some good news: These cuties are listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature because of their wide distribution, tolerance of a degree of habitat modification and presumed large population.

Hop on, little guys!

Photo credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

Send us your own cute frogs by uploading your photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/cutefrogoftheweek/

Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project

A project to save Panama's incredible frogs and salamanders

Category Archives: Cute Frog of the Week

Seeing spots.

Living the high life.

Cute in any form.

Regard my bark.

I wasn’t in Alice in Wonderland – but with the right script, I could be a star.

Can you feel the love tonight?

A sad story with a golden glimmer of hope

Do I look like an Easter egg?

Hey, sexy!

I come in all shapes and sizes.