La Loma tree frog (Hyloscitrus colymba)

Cute Frog of the Week: October 11, 2010

The La Loma tree frog (Hyloscitrus colymba) peering over the lip of this glass with its startling brown eyes is usually too shy to come out and play in the wild. They hide themselves under large boulders near briskly flowing streams, where they make their homes. These frogs will not give up any hints about their whereabouts in the wild. If they sense an animal is near or they hear a disturbance, their chip-like call will quickly fall silent. They also prove that boys are not braver than girls; male La Loma tree frogs are especially shy, more so than females. These tiny frogs are so elusive scientists cannot be sure where to draw the borders designating their natural range in the wild. The lower forests of Costa Rica and Panama’s mountains are where researchers have found the La Loma tree frog, but there is speculation that it may also call Colombia home.

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

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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.