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Frogs of Zihuatanejo

ORDER ANURA

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Chordates (Phylum Chordata)

-Vertebrates (Subphylum Vertebrata)

-Amphibians (Class Amphibia)

-Frogs and Toads (Order Anura)

-Tree Frogs and Allies (Family Hylidae)

-Leaf Frogs Subfamily (Phyllomedusinae)

-Leaf Frogs (Genus Agalychnis)

-Mexican Giant Tree Frog (Agalychnis dacnicolor)


The Mexican Giant Tree Frog is native to Central America and can be found living in tropical and subtropical forests. They are typically green and brown in color with black and white stripes, and have large yellow eyes. They feed mostly on insects and other small invertebrates. During the mating season, males produce a loud call to attract females. Mexican Giant Tree Frogs are nocturnal and spend the majority of their time in trees, but may also come down to the ground.

Giant Green Tree Frog

Agalychnis dacnicolor

Description

  • Agalychnis dacnicolor, commonly called the Mexican leaf frog, is a medium-sized tree frog in the family Phyllomedusidae. Adults have a broad, flattened body, large forward-facing eyes, vertical pupils, and long limbs with adhesive toe discs. The dorsal colour is generally green, while the sides and limbs may show contrasting yellow, orange, or reddish markings. The skin has a waxy appearance that helps reduce water loss.

Range

  • Agalychnis dacnicolor is endemic to Mexico and occurs mainly along the Pacific slope from southern Sonora and Sinaloa southward through western and southern Mexico. Its range includes Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region, where it may be encountered in suitable forest and seasonal wetland habitats.

Habitat

  • This species inhabits tropical dry forest, thorn forest, scrub, woodland, and other warm lowland habitats, particularly near temporary pools, ponds, streams, and other seasonal water sources used for breeding. Adults spend much of their time in trees and shrubs and are especially active during the rainy season.

Diet

  • Adults are insectivorous and feed primarily on small arthropods such as insects and spiders, which they capture with their rapid, sticky tongue.

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