WildView™

May 11, 2018

Tree Frog Wardrobe Change

- as seen by -

Eric Januszkiewicz

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Masked tree frogs, (Smilisca phaeota), are beautiful amphibians from the rainforests of Costa Rica. They can be found around ponds where the males make a ruckus at night as they try to attract females.

Masked tree frogs get their name from the distinctive black lines that go from the tip of their snout to their forelimbs. Remarkably, these frogs are capable of changing the color of their skin. During the day, they generally maintain a light tan coloration, but come nighttime, their color becomes an olive green.

Pictured here is the verdant coloration that is typical of this species after dark. I was lucky to spot this one perched on a brightly colored plant (Heliconia orthotricha).

EDITOR’S NOTE: This photo was chosen as one of the top submission for Wild View’s Go Green assignment.

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