G is for Glass Frog Facts

Glass frogs are so named because of their translucent abdominal skin. They belong to the Centrolenidae family of amphibians and are found in humid rain forests throughout Central and South America including Belize, Costa Rica, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Panama. To date, thirteen species of cloud frogs have been identified in Costa Rica.

Glass Frog Facts – Anatomy

Glass frogs are generally small, ranging from 1.2 to 3.0 (3 to 7.5 cm) in length.

They are typically a soft lime-green color, with yellow suction pads on its fingers and toes.

They have very unique eyes, which are forward-facing. The irises are gold.

The most unique feature of the glass frog is its transparent underbelly, which reveals a fully visible system of organs, including the liver, full intestinal tract, and heart, which one can actually see beating. In females, one can see eggs when they are gravid.

Take a look at this short but fascinating video.

Glass Frogs Facts – Habitat

Glass frogs live almost exclusively in the humid rain forest trees of Central and South America. They can sometimes be found on low hanging branches near or around running water where it lays its eggs.

The glass frog is a nocturnal creature. During the day it sleeps in thick forest vegetation. They actively spend their evenings searching for food. Night and early morning is their most active time for breeding.

Glass Frog Facts – Mating

Glass frogs live along rivers and streams during the breeding season.

Male glass frogs are territorial and will not allow another male on its turf, chasing them away if they dare to try. The males have a distinctive mating call which increases in volume as they age or become more dominant.

The female lays a clutch of 18 to 30 eggs on the underside of leaves or branches hanging over streams, creeks or small rivers.

Males stand guard over the eggs to protect them from predators and keep them moist. When the eggs hatch, the tadpoles drop into the stream or river below, where they develop into frogs.

Glass Frog Facts – Diet

Glass frogs have a diet consisting of flies, spiders and other small invertebrates.

Glass Frog Facts – Threats

Although the glass frog is one of the more abundant species found in Central and South America, habitat loss from deforestation and human activity is a threat.

Sources for Glass Frog Facts: Fact Zoo.com, Rainforest Alliance.org, and Wikipedia

Video is by JP Lawrence

Photo Credits: {1} { 2} {3}

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I hope you have enjoyed, “G is for Glass Frog Facts“

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