The Red Eyed Tree Frog

Common Name: Red Eyed Tree Frog, Ruby Eyed Tree Frog, Red Eyed Leaf Frog
Scientific Name: Agalychinus callidryas
Description: Their eyes are large and bright red with a vertical dark pupil, while certain southern populations have burgundy-colored eyes. Dorsal side and legs are usually bright neon lime green, and the sides of their body are striped in blue and yellow, with orange toes. The tone and amount of blue or yellow varies between populations. Some specimens have white dots.
Range: Found in tropical lowlands of the Neotropical Rainforest from southern Mexico, throughout Central America, to northern Colombia in South America.
Habitat: Commonly found in lowland rain forests and the adjacent hills on trees and the underside of leaves. This species of frog is completely arboreal or tree dwelling and they are excellent jumpers. These frogs rarely descend to the ground and move in a very stealthy and deliberate manner.
Life Span: About three to five years.
Size: Females, the lager sex, attain about 3 inches in length, and males reach a snout-vent length of about 2.25 inches.
Breeding: The breeding season is during the months of October through March.
Egg Clutch: 3-4 clutches of about 30-50 eggs on leaves that overhang a water source.
Sleep Cycle: They are completely nocturnal. They hide on the backs of leaves during the day and come out at night to hunt for small insects.
Feeding: Crickets daily or every other day. They are carnivores and their diet consists of any animal that will fit in their mouth.
Care: Live plants with the leaves should be large and strong enough to hold the frogs’ weight. Regular access to clean, fresh water is a must.
Terrarium: Tropical, Humid. It is better to have a tall tank so that you can put tall leafy plants in so they can climb and hide under. Plants which are suitable for tropical temperature and humidity such as Ferns, Bromeliads and other plants. No more than 2 adults per every ten gallons of enclosure space.
Lighting: A low wattage bulb, UVB light is not essential, and a 12-hour light-dark schedule.
Temperature: Around 78-85 during the day and about any where from 66 to 77 at night.
Humidity: 80-100% Maintain humidity by misting the enclosure once a day.
Discussion: Red-eyed tree frogs are not endangered. But their habitat is shrinking at an alarming rate, and their highly recognizable image is often used to promote the cause of saving the world's rain forests. What red-eyes may lack in size, they make up for in coloration.