Red-Eyed Tree Frog
Agalychnis callidryas
Quick answer
The red-eyed tree frog is a small, brightly colored amphibian of Central American rainforests, famous for its vivid red eyes, green body, and orange feet. It is nocturnal and arboreal, spending its days asleep camouflaged on leaves. These frogs typically live around 5 years in the wild.
Red-Eyed Tree Frog facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Agalychnis callidryas |
|---|---|
| Diet | Insectivore (crickets, moths, flies) |
| Habitat | Lowland and humid rainforest canopy |
| Lifespan | About 5 years in the wild |
| Weight | 6–15 g (0.2–0.5 oz) |
| Size | 5–7 cm (2–3 in) body length |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Amphibia |
| Order | Anura |
| Family | Phyllomedusidae |
| Genus | Agalychnis |
Where it lives
The humid lowland rainforests of Central America, from southern Mexico through Costa Rica and Panama.
Behavior and startle defense
Red-eyed tree frogs are nocturnal and sleep by day with their colorful limbs tucked away and only green skin showing. If a predator disturbs them, they suddenly flash their bright red eyes and orange feet, a tactic called deimatic or startle coloration that can buy a moment to leap to safety. They are agile climbers with sticky toe pads.
Diet and feeding
These frogs are insectivores that hunt at night, eating crickets, moths, flies, grasshoppers, and other small invertebrates. They catch prey with a quick flick of a sticky tongue. Juveniles take smaller prey such as fruit flies and pinhead crickets.
Habitat and range
The red-eyed tree frog lives in the humid lowland rainforests of Central America, from southern Mexico through Costa Rica and Panama. It depends on warm temperatures, high humidity, and ponds or pools where it lays eggs on overhanging leaves. The hatching tadpoles drop into the water below.
Conservation
The species is currently listed as Least Concern, but it relies entirely on intact, humid rainforest. Deforestation, pollution, and climate change are long-term threats to its habitat. As a striking flagship species, it is widely used to promote rainforest conservation.
Frequently asked questions about the Red-Eyed Tree Frog
Why do red-eyed tree frogs have red eyes?
The bright red eyes are thought to startle predators. When disturbed while resting, the frog flashes its red eyes and orange feet, which can confuse an attacker long enough for the frog to escape.
Are red-eyed tree frogs poisonous?
No. Unlike poison dart frogs, red-eyed tree frogs are not poisonous. They rely on camouflage and their startling colors rather than toxins for defense.
What do red-eyed tree frogs eat?
They are insectivores that eat crickets, moths, flies, grasshoppers, and other small invertebrates, catching them at night with a sticky tongue.
How long do red-eyed tree frogs live?
In the wild they live around 5 years. With good care in captivity they can sometimes live longer.
Where do red-eyed tree frogs live?
They live in the humid lowland rainforests of Central America, from southern Mexico through Costa Rica and Panama, spending most of their time in the trees.
