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Amphibians of Zihuatanejo

CLASS AMPHIBIA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Amphibians (Class Amphibia)

-Frogs and Toads (Order Anura)

-Hylid Tree Frogs (Family Hylidae)

-Cross-banded Tree Frogs (Genus Smilisca)

-Mexican Treefrog (Smilisca baudinii)


Smilisca baudinii, commonly known as Mexican Smilisca Frog is a medium-sized frog species found in parts of Central America and Mexico.The skin is relatively smooth, unlike the rough, warty texture seen in some other frogs. It is primarily nocturnal, becoming active at night when it emerges to hunt for food. During the day, it seeks shelter in crevices, under leaves, or other hidden spots. Like most frogs, Smilisca baudinii is insectivorous, feeding primarily on a wide variety of insects, such as flies, beetles, and moths. It uses its long, sticky tongue to capture prey.


In the Zihuatanejo area, the only confirmed species of the genus Smilisca is the Mexican Treefrog (Smilisca baudinii).

Mexican Treefrog
(Smilisca baudinii)

Diet

  • Primarily insects and other small invertebrates, including crickets, moths, beetles, flies, mosquitoes, ants, termites, spiders, and other arthropods.

  • Larger adults may occasionally consume smaller frogs.

  • Hunts at night from vegetation or the ground, capturing prey with its sticky tongue.

Range

  • Found from extreme southern Texas through Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.

  • In Mexico, it is widespread from southern Sonora and southwestern Chihuahua south along both the Pacific and Gulf slopes, including the Balsas Depression and the Zihuatanejo region of Guerrero.

  • Occurs from sea level to about 1,600 m elevation.

Habitat

  • Occupies a wide variety of habitats, including tropical dry forests, tropical deciduous forests, tropical evergreen forests, savannas, woodland edges, riparian areas, mangroves, and thorn scrub.

  • Readily adapts to disturbed habitats, including gardens, parks, agricultural land, canals, ponds, and villages.

  • Nocturnal and often shelters during the day beneath bark, in tree holes, under rocks, or in vegetation.

  • Breeds during the rainy season in temporary pools, ponds, flooded fields, roadside ditches, and slow-moving water.

Size

  • Male: 50–70 mm (2.0–2.8 in)

  • Female: 60–90 mm (2.4–3.5 in)

  • Weight: Approximately 20–50 g, with females typically larger than males.

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