With its scarlet-colored eyes and bright coloration, it’s hard not to have already heard of the red-eyed tree frog. One of Costa Rica’s most emblematic species, it’s often ranked high on wildlife lovers’ viewing wish list. Here, we talk a little more about these beautiful tree dwellers, and give a little insight into how to see them!
Found from Honduras to Colombia, the red-eyed tree frog (scientific name Agalychnis callidryas), is a species of arboreal amphibian that lives in tropical forests. They are characterized by their bright red eyes and vibrant coloration, which includes green skin, blue and yellow stripes, and orange and red feet.
In certain areas of Costa Rica and Panama, color morphs of the stripes have been observed (the red-eyed tree frogs spotted at Casa Danta, for example, demonstrate the orange stripe color morph). Unlike many other brightly-colored frogs in the region, such as the poison dart frog, Agalychnis callidryas is not toxic. They are also surprisingly adept at camouflage, being able to close their eyes and cover their brightly colored body parts in order for their green skin to blend in with the surrounding leaves. This does not mean that their bright coloration does not provide any sort of protective mechanism, however. When startled, a red-eyed tree frog can flash its eyes, stripes and feet, startling a potential predator and giving it time to escape. This phenomenon, the display of certain colors at rest compared to when in motion, is known as “flash coloration.”
Due to its specific temperature requirements, and need for a body of water to aid in reproduction, red-eyed tree frogs live in tropical inland forests and wetlands. These areas can be both mountainous or lowland, as long as it maintains a humidity level of at least 80% and is found near a pond or other relatively stagnant sources of water. Being primarily arboreal, red-eyed tree frogs spend the majority of their time hiding among the leaves in forest canopies. They are nocturnal and hunt for insects, their primary food source, at night.
While red-eyed tree frogs can be occasionally spotted around a hotel or other lodging, especially at night after a rain (we have had a few hang out on the balcony of Casa Danta during green season, for example), it is recommended for those interested in seeing one in the wild to book a night tour. Found throughout the country, these walking excursions are led by guides experienced in spotting nocturnal species, which guarantees a much higher rate of viewing success.
For those looking to book a night tour in the Manuel Antonio area, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. Happy travels!