Sound the bell.

Red-eyed stream frog (Duellmanohyla uranochroa)

Red-eyed stream frog (Duellmanohyla uranochroa)

Cute Frog of the Week: Nov. 7, 2011

If you are hearing bells, there’s a possibility that a wedding’s in your future or that Christmas carolers are about to knock on your door. But if you’re in the subtropics of Panama and Costa Rica, you are likely hearing the distinct bell-like mating call of the red-eyed stream frog. This call sounds like “boop, boop, boop,” and can be heard in May and June.

This cute little frog is typically found in the Caribbean slopes of the Provincia del Pocas del Torro, Panama and Costa Rica. This area is a subtropical habitat, and most frogs are active during the night, so keep an ear open for them.

The red-eyed tree frog is leafy green in color, with a yellow throat and belly, and apricot-colored thighs. Its fingers and toes are slightly webbed and, of course, it has bright red eyes. Some researchers have wondered why their eyes are such a striking color, and have come up with a possible theory that they call “startle coloration.” This is a type of protection that allows the frogs to abruptly glance at or open their eyes when a predator shows up. This can startle the predator enough that they pause momentarily, allowing the frog time, though brief, to leap to a safe place out of its reach.

This is a critically endangered species, and the largest threats to them are general habitat alteration/losses, climate change and disease.

Photo by Andreas Hertz via ARKive.

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.

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