Golden-eyed tree frog

The **golden-eyed tree frog** (*Agalychnis americanus*) is a species of hylid frog, most closely related to the red-eyed tree frog (*Agalychnis callidryas*), that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across North America and Central America to help boost biodiversity. The golden-eyed tree frog has large, bright golden eyes with vertically narrowed pupils, hence its name. The golden-eyed tree frog is very colorful, with a vibrant green body, yellow and blue vertical stripes along its side, a white underside, brightly colored red, orange, or yellow-orange feet, and gold eyes. Additionally, they have sticky pads on their toes that allow them to cling onto leaves and wooden surfaces. The skin on the golden-eyed tree frog's belly is soft and fragile, whereas the back is thicker and rougher. On average, the males are about two inches long, and the females are slightly bigger at around 3 inches. Golden-eyed tree frogs are insectivores, eating crickets, moths, grasshoppers, flies, and other insects. Sometimes, they eat smaller frogs. Tadpoles mostly eat fruit flies and pinhead crickets. Golden-eyed tree frogs are arboreal, meaning they spend a majority of their lives in trees; they are excellent jumpers. Despite their bright coloring, golden-eyed tree frogs are actually not poisonous, and rely on camouflage to protect themselves. They are nocturnal, sleeping for most of the day. In order to hide from predators, they cover their blue sides with their back legs, tuck their bright feet under their bellies, and shut their golden eyes. Thus, they appear almost completely green, and well hidden among the foliage. They do not have a true eyelid, but rather a Nictitating membrane that allows light to enter the eye so that they will awaken when predators are approaching. Their large golden eyes not only aid in their ability to see at night, but also serve as a defensive adaptation through deimatic behaviour. When a golden-eyed tree frog detects an approaching predator, it abruptly opens its eyes and stares at the predator. The sudden appearance of the golden eyes may startle the predator, giving the frog a chance to flee. During the mating season in spring, the male golden-eyed tree frogs shake the branches where they are sitting to improve their chances of finding a mate by keeping rivals at bay. When rainfall is at its highest, a male golden-eyed tree frog calls "chack" to get the attention of the female. Females use the call, as well as color (specifically, the stripped sides) of the male frog, in order to find a possible mate. Both the call and color of the male frog show territorial display, and anti-predatory behavior. During amplexus, the female carries the male on her back for several hours during the oviposition process. Because of external egg fertilization, there is still risk of competition even after a female has selected a mate. The female chooses a leaf above a pond or large puddle on which to lay her clutch of roughly 40 to 70 eggs. Since oviposition generally occurs on both sides of a leaf, golden-eyed tree frogs may fold the leaf to hide the eggs from predators. They also produce sticky jelly to glue the eggs together; this protects the eggs from splitting and dehydration. The eggs develop into tadpoles, which hatch after six to seven days and fall into the water below. Golden-eyed tree frog embryos use natural day and night light cycles as a signal for when to hatch, and tend to hatch just after nightfall. Golden-eyed tree frog eggs may hatch early (exhibiting phenotypic plasticity) when a change in the environment signals a danger to their survival. Dragonflies, fish, and water beetles prey on the tadpoles. The tadpoles remain in the water from three weeks to a month, until they metamorphose into frogs. The time of metamorphosis depends on duration of larval stage, which varies depending on environment. After metamorphosis, the color of tadpoles' torsos changes from green to brown, and their eyes, which are initially dull yellow, turn into deep gold without much side patterning. These changes mark maturity. The lifespan of golden-eyed treefrogs is about five years. Young frogs that survive the first few weeks after metamorphosis move into the undergrowth and security of plants near their natal pools, often into the hollows of tubular plants such as bromeliads. Young frogs prey on very small flies and other insects during the first months of their lives. The young mature after two years and begin mating at the age of three to four years. These tree frogs are known to live up to five years, depending on the health and conditions of their habitat (when aided by abundant plant growth, plenty of fresh water, and an abundance of small and larger insects on which to prey). The conservation status of the golden-eyed tree frog is **Least Concern** due to successful conservation efforts, the golden-eyed tree frog's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.