©Derek Dunlop
March 6, 2015
A Frog That Can Take the Heat
- as seen by -
Derek Dunlop
While most Americans have been hunkering down through blizzards, the summer rainy season is in full swing in eastern Bolivia.
Phyllomedusa sauvagii, more commonly known as the waxy monkey frog, is native to the Chacoan region of eastern Bolivia and bordering countries. Nocturnal by nature, these frogs spend most of their lives in trees. They manage to survive in arid environments and avoid water loss by producing lipids that cover their skin. This species is one of only a handful of frogs that urinate without losing any water.
Anyone who has encountered waxy monkey frogs before will confirm how difficult they can be to photograph due to their tendency to curl up and play dead at the slightest of agitations. After some patience on my part, this male cooperated long enough for me to grab a few photos.
Canon 5D Mark 3
Leave a Comment
Ken Conley
March 6, 2015 at 8:26 am
What an amazing image! It looks like he was willful participant in a studio photo shoot…
You see so many of these frogs shot head-on, or from above, this action shot from the side is really unique. Thank you!
Dr William Frazier
June 7, 2016 at 9:38 am
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