Red-Eyed Tree Frog

Agalychnis callidryas

Average (Promiscuous)

The **Red-Eyed Tree Frog** (*Agalychnis callidryas*) is a small South American frog featured in the South America Pack of *Planet Zoo*.

## Zoopedia Description

### General

**Population in the Wild:** Unknown

The red-eyed tree frog is a species of arboreal amphibian that lives in the tropical rainforest regions of Central America. Female frogs are larger than males, but both have the same markings. As the name suggests, the red-eyed tree frog has vivid red eyes with black pupils. The upper body and upper legs of the frog are pale green, and as such when the frog curls up and closes its eyes it is well camouflaged against the leaves on which it lives. The red-eyed tree frog has bright blue sides with yellow reticulation and blue thighs. It has orange feet and a pale underbelly.

The red-eyed tree frog is not endangered, although its population is threatened by deforestation and unsustainable collection for the pet trade.

### Social

The red-eyed tree frog is a solitary animal but may live close to other frogs. Red-eyed tree frogs only interact in the mating season to mate or compete for mates.

### Reproduction

During the rainy season, male frogs will attempt to attract females and intimidate rival males by vocalising and shaking the leaves in their territory. Males may also wrestle if the display does not deter a rival. Females are attracted to males based on the volume of their calls, the brightness of their colouration and their size. Larger males are more likely to mate due to their ability to make louder noises and shake their leaves more intensely. Females will come to the male's territory based on the quality of his display. Although females may choose a male by approaching his leaf, it is not uncommon for many males to attempt to mount the same female. When a female approaches a male, he will clamber on top of her. If there is competition of multiple males, the male with the best position on top of the female is the one who will fertilise her eggs. The male will remain on top of the female until she lays her eggs, which may be a few hours or up to a day after mounting.

The female will move around with the male on top of her until she finds a suitable area to lay her eggs. Females look for a leaf that is above a pool of water on which to lay their eggs. The male will fertilise the eggs as she lays them.

Eggs hatch 6-10 days after laying. As the tadpoles hatch, they will fall into or nearby the water below. The eggs contain a lot of fluid so that when they hatch, the tadpoles have a better chance of being washed into water. Tadpoles take 40-60 days to develop into froglets. Froglets spend the time after emerging from the water hiding in flowers and eating fruit flies until they get larger. It will take them around 10 months to 1 year to reach full size and 1-2 years to reach sexual maturity. Young male frogs are less likely to mate than older male frogs due to their smaller size.

## Animal Care

 HABITAT ENRICHMENT
Tropical Plant A · Tropical Plant B · Tropical Plant C · Mister A · Mister BMister C · Leaf Litter A · Leaf Litter B · Leaf Litter C

## Trivia

### Zoopedia Fun Facts

* It is believed that the red eyes of this frog evolved as a startle display; the frog is well camouflaged with eyes closed, but if under threat it can open its eyes to shock a potential predator.
* Red-eyed tree frogs have extremely sticky feet due to their surface being made up of an uneven microscopic hexagon pattern. This allows them to crawl upside down and stick to most surfaces, even when carrying the weight of another frog.
* Red-eyed tree frog eggs can detect vibrations from nearby predators and may hatch early to escape harm.
* Despite their bright colouration that may be perceived as a warning to predators, red-eyed tree frogs are not poisonous.
* Red-eyed tree frog tadpoles can survive for up to 20 hours out of water.

### Other Trivia

* The Red-Eyed Tree Frog is the first exhibit animal added in a DLC.
	+ It is also the first amphibian to be added in a DLC.