Mother Nature & Her Red-eyed Tree Frog Here in Costa Rica!

Costa Rica plays host to way more than 161 known species of frogs & toads. Environmentalists surmise that there are so many more species yet to be discovered here in one of the most biodiverse countries on the planet.

Costa Rica is world renowned for its hundreds of thousands of species of flora and fauna. From the 'vibrant color' point-of-view, the red-eyed tree frog is for certain one of the country’s most famous examples of animals that live in the rainforest. While not all of them are brightly colored, they all play an essential role in the health and the welfare of the forests. Costa Rica is definitely considered to be the best location in all of the Americas for viewing these beautiful amphibians.

The Red-eyed Tree Frog. .

Also called the "red-eyed leaf frog" or "gaudy leaf frog", it is easily distinguished by its vibrant colors and bright red eyes. Costa Rica has way over 40 species of tree frogs. They can be found throughout most of the country. They sleep during most the day, attaching themselves to the huge leaves found in the forest. They are camouflaged very well, so their predators have a hard time finding them! Every night when the dark comes, the millions of frogs wake up and begin making very loud sounds. Once you learn and recognize their calls, they become fairly easy to locate. Their calls are short lived and once night falls, they’re not quite as noisy. Costa Rica’s most well-known amphibians are the ones that you should definitely look out for when you visit! Here's a few of our favorites. .

The Poison Dart Frog. .

Costa Rica has 8 known species of poison dart frogs, also commonly called "poison arrow frogs". These another of the most beautiful and well-known frog families in the country. A common misconception is that if you touch these frogs, you will be poisoned. The toxicity of the poison depends on the species. The poison of our Costa Rican dart frogs isn’t strong enough to penetrate through unbroken skin. However, you should still consider staying away from them and not picking them up as you may have tiny cuts you’re unaware of. These frogs are fragile and best left unhandled and viewed from afar. They are fun to spot in the brush below as you are hiking. Such a beautiful creature!

Most frogs are active only at night when it becomes cool. The dart frogs are active throughout the daylight hours. They avoid direct sunlight so that they don’t dehydrate. They are found in damp soil under the fallen leaves and in mossy areas. They are loners and will scurry away as you get closer to them.

The Splendid Leaf Frog. .

The splendid leaf frog is the largest frog among those we highlight here. They stand out because of their bright black and orange body colors. Sometimes referred to as a "splendid tree frog", they are considered extremely difficult to find in the wild. Your best chance at spotting them will require a lot of luck. They are very close to extinction but are making a comeback!

The Glass Frog. .

Glass frogs aren’t as colorful as other frogs . These tiny frogs have the most unique eyes, bright skin and many are translucent enough to see through their skin. You can actually see their internal organs. There are 14 species of known glass frogs in Costa Rica. They are very difficult to locate. Many of the glass frog species live high up in tree branches directly above small creeks. They watch over and protect their eggs until they hatch and drop into the water below.

The Lemur Leaf Frog. .

The lemur leaf frog is another of the world’s most amazing and unique frogs, with their protruding, bright, silver eyes. Its body also changes colors after being exposed to light from a darker, duller green to the more brightly spotted lime green. These frogs have no webbing between their 'fingers' and 'toes'.

Lemur frog populations have declined sharply because of an infectious disease caused from fungus that has wreaked havoc on Costa Rica’s amphibian populations in recent years.

Frogs can be found all over the country, so you’ll need to decide how to focus your efforts. Some frogs are only found in very specific regions and habitats. Additionally, some species are rare and difficult to find in the wild.

Here are four areas where one can find some of these beautiful species of frogs here in Costa Rica. .

Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center - The Guayacán Rainforest Reserve

Manuel Antonio National Park - Central Pacific Coast

Limon - Central Caribbean Coast

La Selva Biological Station - Caribbean Lowlands

The more you read about all of the species of frogs in Costa Rica, the more you will enjoy their story. Costa Rica is a leader in trying to create a positive move to 'save the frogs'. They are building frog-friendly habitats in many of the public areas. Many of the larger resorts and hotels are constructing large ponds to attract all different species of frogs. There are also many research centers being built all over Costa Rica.

Costa Rica takes its "biodiversity" seriously. When you visit, be sure to go exploring in healthy frog habitats so you can experience seeing some of the most unique and beautiful creatures in all the world!

You're invited to visit our websites at: www.costaricagoodnewsreport.com & www.costaricaimmigrationandmovingexperts.com

Also, please enjoy our over 1,700 episodes of our "Costa Rica Minute / Costa Rica Pura Vida Lifestyle Podcast Series". We are found on all major podcast venues, including iHeartRADIO, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Radio FM, Anchor & many more. Here's our link: www.anchor.fm/costa-rica-pura-vida