# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of physical maps of europe - Google Search

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of physical maps of africa - Google Search

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of physical maps of australia - Google Search

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of physical maps of south america - Google Search

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of physical maps of north america - Google Search

# data[].attributes.body
Poison Dart frog's predators

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of poison dart frog's predators - Google Search

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
images of poison dart frogs predators images of poison dart frog's predators

# data[].attributes.body
Amazon Horned frog's prey

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of amazon horned frog's prey - Google Search

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of amazon horned frog's predators - Google Search

# data[].attributes.body
Glass frog's prey

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of glass frogs prey - Google Search

# data[].attributes.body
Glass frog's predators

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of glass frogs predators - Google Search

# data[].attributes.body
Water Holding frog's Prey

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of water holding frogs prey - Google Search

# data[].attributes.body
Water Holding frog's predators

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of water holding frogs predators - Google Search

# data[].attributes.body
Poison Dart frog's prey

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of poison dart frogs prey - Google Search

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of poison dart frogs - Google Search

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of water holding frog - Google Search

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
images of amazon horned frog - Google Search

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Amazon Horned Frog

Scientific Name: Ceratophrys cornuta

Geographical Range: Amazon Rain forest

Habitat: Tropical

Diet in the Wild: Carnivorous, eating snails, small frogs and mice, and even tadpoles of its own species.

Conservation Status: Not protected.

Location in the Zoo: Herpetarium

Physical Description:
Generally tan with spots and stripes to help camouflage.

Social Organization: :
Males are fiercely territorial, guarding their spot of earth as if it were their life. Men are aggressors, and females are the caregivers.

Special Adaptations:

Horned frogs generally have adapted to their environment by coming out in the morning and evening hours so as to avoid the heat of the day. They have also developed their camouflage to hide from larger predators who are out while the frogs rest.

Reproductive Behavior:

The amazon horned frog usually mates in water. The males initiate mating by calling to the females. Once the animals are together, the male places the eggs on the female's back. It is the female's responsibility to find a suitable nesting area for her young. These eggs will hatch in anywhere from 3 to 25 days.

Sources and Links:

Page Author:
Matthew Huitt
E-mail me at matthuman2001@hotmail.com.

WhoZoo Home

WhoZoo Animal Index

Reptiles and Amphibians at the Fort Worth Zoo
Project Amazonas

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Amazon Horned Frog Scientific Name: Ceratophrys cornuta Geographical Range: Amazon Rain forest Habitat: Tropical Diet in the Wild: Carnivorous, eating snails, small frogs and mice, and even tadpoles of its own species. Conservation Status: Not protected. Location in the Zoo: Herpetarium Physical Description: Generally tan with spots and stripes to help camouflage.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

Amazon horned frogs (Ceratophrys cornuta) are notably robust and thickset amphibians whose homeland is South America, from French Guiana and Bolivia to Suriname and Brazil. These nocturnal and carnivorous frogs are impressively big, a result of not being at all choosy about what they eat.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Are the Predators of the Amazon Horned Frog?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Amazon horned frogs (Ceratophrys cornuta) are notably robust and thickset amphibians whose homeland is South America, from French Guiana and Bolivia to Suriname and Brazil. These nocturnal and carnivorous frogs are impressively big, a result of not being at all choosy about what they eat.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Also known as: Surinam Horned Frog
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Location: Northern Part of South America
Lifespan: Up to 10 or 15 years

Length: Up to 20 cm
Other: It has an exceptionally wide mouth, and has horn-like projections above its eyes. The Amazon Horned frog is perhaps the most striking in appearance of all the horned frogs due to its high "horns" over the eyes and extremely large mouth in relation to the length of its body. Body colors vary from light and dark shades of green to dark brown to beige. The throat of both sexes is black. It is virtually impossible to determine sex other than by the size difference in adult animals with the male being substantially smaller. Amazon Horned frogs collected from the wild feed primarily on other frogs while those bred in captivity are much less selective, feeding on crickets as well as other insects, and small mice.

The Amazon Horned Frog is carnivorous. The species eats snails, lizards, other small frogs, mice, and even tadpoles of their own species.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Facts Also known as: Surinam Horned Frog Conservation Status: Least Concern Location: Northern Part of South America Lifespan: Up to 10 or 15 years

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Amazon horned frog Facts

Amazon horned frog, also known as Surinam horned frog, belongs to the family of Southern Frogs. It can be found only in the South America. Amazon horned frog inhabits tropical rainforests and freshwater swamps in the Amazon Basin. Habitat destruction and over collecting from the wild (due to pet trade) are the major threats for the survival of this species. Despite these factors, wild population of Amazon horned frogs is still large and stable.

Amazon horned frog can reach 4 to 8 inches in length and up to 1 pound of weight. Females are larger than males.

Females are usually beige colored. Males can be dark or light green colored. Both males and females have black throat. Bottom side of the body is grey. Body of Amazon horned frog is covered with spots and lines of various size and color.

Amazon horned frog has stocky, roundish body with bumpy skin and stubby limbs.

Amazon horned frog has horn-like projections above the eyes which resemble the petioles of leaves. "Horns" provide ideal camouflage on the forest floor.

Amazon horned frog is nocturnal creature (active during the night).

Amazon horned frog has large mouth, long, sticky tongue and strong jaws equipped with sharp teeth. These features facilitate catching of the large prey.

Amazon horned frog is an ambush predator (it hunts using the element of surprise). It hides in the leaf litter, exposing only head, and waits for the prey to appear. When the prey is close enough, Amazon horned frog quickly jumps out of the hiding place and swallows the prey in one piece.

Amazon horned frog is a carnivore (meat-eater). Its diet is based on various types of frogs, snails, lizards, mice and tadpoles of its own species.

Amazon horned frog is also known as "Pac Man frog" (character from a video game) due to voracious appetite and extremely large mouth (compared to the rest of the body).

Natural enemies of Amazon horned frogs are birds and snakes.

Amazon horned frogs are solitary animals. Males aggressively defend their territories.

Amazon horned frogs breed in the small pools of water. Males produce loud calls to attract females.

Females can produce up to 1.000 eggs per season. After successful fertilization, female carries fertilized eggs (on her back) until she finds suitable place for the incubation. Eggs lay wrapped around aquatic plants until they hatch, usually 3 to 25 days after fertilization.

Tadpoles are aggressive from the moment of birth and they often attack each other in the water. Metamorphosis (transformation into miniature frogs) lasts around 90 days. Young Amazon horned frogs reach sexual maturity at the age of 3 to 4 years.

Amazon horned frog can survive 10 to 15 years in the captivity.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Amazon horned frog, also known as Surinam horned frog, belongs to the family of Southern Frogs. It can be found only in the South America. Amazon horned frog inhabits tropical rainforests and freshwater swamps in the Amazon Basin. Habitat destruction and over collecting from the wild (due to pet trade) are the major threats for the survival of this species.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Based on the the Life on Earth Series by Richard Attenborough

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A site all about frogs, there biology and nature. plus loads of fun, photos abd games.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Western Water-holding Frog | Western Australian Museum

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The placement of the eyes on top of the head and the extensive webbing between the toes areindicative of a highly aquatic lifestyle. It can form a 'cacoon' by progressively shedding its skin in its burrow, and can then hibernate for months until rains come.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You'll also hear poison frogs called "poison arrow frogs," but that's not accurate. The South American people who hunt with arrows usually coat their arrow tips with plant poisons, not frog poisons. Scientists know of only three frog species used for this purpose, so they suggest calling the family "poison frogs" rather than "poison dart frogs."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Poison Dart frogs live in rainforest habitats in Central and South America. They can be found in trees, as well as under leaves and logs and rocks on the floor of the forest. Because of their size, from 1/2 to 2 inches long, they are hard to see. Poison frogs warn predators with brilliant colors and patterns. There are many species of poison frogs that can be found in every color under the sun! They prey on invertebrates, especially certain ant species, which build up really strong poisons in the frog.

Dart Frogs got their name because hunters would tip their arrows in the frog's poisons. Sadly, because people are cutting down rainforests for farming and ranching, Poison Dart Frogs are at risk. The Blue Poison Dart Frog is the most endangered due to the pet-shop market.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Poison Dart frogs live in rainforest habitats in Central and South America. They can be found in trees, as well as under leaves and logs and rocks on the floor of the forest. Because of their size, from 1/2 to 2 inches long, they are hard to see.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The glass frog is one of those bizarre and fascinating creatures in this world. Upon looking down at this amphibian, the first thing you might notice is its soft lime-green color. But if you were to turn him over, a quick glance at his abdomen would catch your attention. The glass frog's stomach is completely transparent! Close examination of this unique creature reveals a fully visible system of organs, including the heart, liver, and full intestinal tract. Scientists believe that earlier frogs of this species evolved to have this trait for camouflage; while perched on a leaf or branch, they are extremely difficult to spot from a distance.

These frogs are very small creatures, the smaller species are about 0.78 in (2 cm) on average, while the biggest they can get is the "giant" species males which can be 3 in (8 cm). Most could easily perch on the top of a matchbox. Different species can be found in Central and South American rain forests, usually in the canopy, far above the ground. They venture lower rarely, and when they do, it is mainly for breeding. Some glass frogs, however, make their home closer to the ground in the vegetation surrounding small forest streams.

The glass frog is a nocturnal creature. During the day, it spends most of its time sleeping in the thick rain forest vegetation. In the evening, however, they are very active, spending the majority of their time looking for food. Later at night and into the very early morning is their most active time for breeding.

Males are very territorial, and will not allow another male to be in its breeding grounds. If a male enters another glass frog's territory, the defending frog will let out a very low warning sound. If the offending male doesn't back off, the defending frog will jump on his back in an aggressive manner, effectively chasing him away.

One unique property the glass frog boasts besides its signature translucency is the position and shape of its eyes. Commonly, they are confused with the tree frog; however, the glass frog's eyes are very bright and forward-facing, while the tree frog's eyes are positioned on the sides of its head. This can be very useful in differentiating the glass frog from others.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The glass frog is one of those bizarre and fascinating creatures in this world. Upon looking down at this amphibian, the first thing you might notice is its soft lime-green color. But if you were to turn him over, a quick glance at his abdomen would catch your attention.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The family Centrolenidae refers to a group of small nocturnal and arboreal frogs that live along streams and moving water in the humid forests of the tropical Americas. There are currently more than a hundred species, and they are distributed from southern Mexico, through Central America, to South America, as far south as parts of northern Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia.

Photo credit: Bill Love

Glass frog

With the recent increase of exploration in the forests of neotropical America, many species have only been described in the last 40 years. Glass frogs are difficult to find and collect, due not only to their small size and color, but also because of the extreme areas they sometimes inhabit. Glass frogs are often found along streams that are nearly impossible to walk along, let alone collect specimens. With new areas constantly being explored in tropical America, more species are sure to be discovered and described.

Glass frogs get their name from the semitransparent nature of their skin, and, in some species, the transparent ventral surface. Most of the specimens from this family are light green with small spots ranging from yellow, white, black and blue. The frogs typically range in size from 20 to 30 millimeters, but some species, like Centrolene geckoideum from the Pacific Andean slopes of Colombia and Ecuador, reach larger sizes.

Centrolenidae Family and Genera

The Centrolenidae family of glass frogs was once composed of just two genera: Centrolenella (Noble, 1920) and Centrolene (Jimenez de la Espada, 1872). All of the smaller species were placed in the genus Centrolenella, and the one large species, geckoideum (Jimenez de la Espada, 1872), was placed in the genus Centrolene. Due to the recent work of Ruiz-Carranza and Lynch in 1991, the family has since been reclassified with respects to the genera. There are now three separate genera recognized in the family: Hyalinobatrachium, Cochranella and Centrolene.

The genus Hyalinobatrachium (Ruiz-Carrana and Lynch, 1991) contains the species that have white bones and a transparent parietal peritoneum (ventral surface) in live specimens. The transparent ventral surface allows one to view the viscera (internal organs), such as the heart, intestines and liver. Most of the species in this genus have a white visceral lining covering most of the digestive organs. This is in addition to the presence of a small bulb-shaped liver, which is different than the three-lobed liver that is present in many species of the other two genera. The name Hyalinobatrachium comes from Greek and means "glassy little frog."

The genus Cochranella (Ruiz-Carrana and Lynch, 1991) contains the species that, in life, have visible green bones, which are most noticeable in such areas as the arms and legs. Upon introduction to preservative, the green coloration in their bones typically fades after only a short time. The specimens from this genus also have a partially white-covered parietal peritoneum, which only allows for the viewing of the viscera in the lower abdominal area. The partial white parietal peritoneum looks like a white vest covering the upper area of the ventral surface. The specimens from this group have a colorless viscera and colorless walls of most the digestive organs.

The genus Centrolene (Jimenez de la Espada, 1872) refers to animals similar to those species from the genus Cochranella. Both genera have green bones in live specimens and a partial white parietal peritoneum, but the specimens from the genus Centrolene are set apart due to the presence of a humeral hook along the anterior surface of the humeral bone on the upper arm. This humeral hook is present on all male specimens, and a few females also have this structure. It is believed that this hook serves a purpose in breeding activities or in combat between territorial males.

Glass Frog Habitat and Behavior

Glass frogs are nocturnal, arboreal and riparian (living along streams). Centrolenid specimens can most commonly be found, while active, in the night among the vegetation of many forest streams and moving water bodies in neotropical America. Glass frogs occupy a large range of altitudes, from sea level to near 3,800 meters (McDiarmid, 1983). During daytime, the species are typically sleeping in the vegetation and terrestrial substrate near streams, and are difficult to locate.

One species can be found guarding its egg masses even in the daylight hours. The reticulated glass frog, Hyalinobatrachium valerioi (Dunn, 1931), from central Costa Rica to Ecuador, is unusual because the male specimens will guard their eggs in the daytime. Hyalinobatrachium valerioi males will guard egg masses all day, apparently protecting the eggs from predatory insects and dehydration. The males of H. valerioi will often be found sleeping next to, or actually touching, the egg masses on the underside of the leaves during daylight hours (pers. obs. 1998, 1999). Other species of glass frogs show egg-attendance behaviors, but usually only for a couple hours following oviposition. The adults retreat to their sleeping sites during the light of day and only sometimes return to attend their eggs the following evening. In a study done in 1982 by Susan K. Jacobson, it was noted that males of Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni (Boettger, 1893) often attend eggs on subsequent nights later in the evening hours, 71 percent of the observed instances happening after midnight (Jacobson, 1985). The probable advantage in waiting until later in the evening to attend eggs, when there are less females ready to breed, is that it decreases lost breeding opportunities for these males.

In 1998, while lowering a leaf to make a closer observation of male H. valerioi specimens on the underside of a banana leaf, I witnessed one male take a position that spread himself directly over one of his egg masses, apparently in a defensive manner. Male glass frogs can be found calling from leaves overhanging, or near, the stream's surfaces on most humid nights during the rainy season. One cloud forest species of glass frog, Centrolene buckleyi (Boulenger, 1882), is reported to use bromeliads to hide its eggs (Cannatella, 1997). Glass frogs have also been witnessed calling from vegetation above, or near, dried-up stream beds, apparently waiting for approaching rains to bring the water that is needed for the survival and development of the larvae.

Little is known about the females' non-breeding activities, but they are presumably present among the vegetation bordering the forest's streams during the night hours. In the absence of amplexus, the females have proven much harder to locate than the calling males. One method of identifying females in many species is the presence of eggs that are visible through the transparent dermal layer of the lower abdomen. Another female identification method in most specimens of the genus Centrolene is the absence of the humeral hook.

The feeding behavior of glass frogs typically takes place while they are active during the evening hours, but glass frogs may also be active and feeding during rain showers in the daylight hours as well. One phenomenon I have noticed in my field work with glass frogs is the tendency for individuals to be found further up the banks of the streams, in the lower vegetation, from the late hours of dusk to the early evening (l730 hours to 19OO hours). I feel this may be a "feeding period" for these frogs, during which they acquire nutritional support for their ritual evening breeding activities. In this lower thick vegetation, there are typically abundant supplies of small arthropods, and I have witnessed glass frog individuals feeding upon these abundant arthropod populations (pers. obs., 1998, 1999). More investigation of the frogs in regards to this idea of a feeding period need to be done in order to generate some stable data. Glass frogs typically feed on a variety of smaller arthropods that are present among the vegetation along the stream's banks.

Glass Frog Reproductive Behavior

The reproductive behavior of glass frog species is greatly dependent on the rainy season in most areas, except those that lack a defined dry season, and the species typically reproduce throughout the year. On most humid nights, especially after a rainstorm or even during a light shower, the male centrolenids can be heard making their mating calls along the stream's vegetation. One study done in 1982 by Mark Hayes, found that specimens of H. fleischmanni show a much higher activity and calling tendency in relative-humidity levels above 93 percent. The mating calls of male glass frogs are variable between species, but they can typically be described as single, rising whistles that have a duration of less than a second, high-pitched trills or a series of short, high-pitched peeps. Males will call from chosen sites along the stream that exhibit preferable characteristics for egg deposition directly above the stream water.

Male centrolenids are fairly territorial and typically do not tolerate the presence of other males in close vicinity to their particular chosen calling sites. It is not common to witness physical combat between two males over a calling site, but physical confrontation does occur. It usually takes place when an intruding male enters the vicinity (typically within 10 centimeters or the same leaf [pers. obs. with H. fleischmanni in 1998 and 1999]) of another calling male. When the original male observes an intruding male, he will then change his normal advertising call to a lower soft-pitched "preep," and orient himself toward the intruding male. Next, the defending original male will slowly approach the intruder and often jump on his back in a behavior similar to amplexus, but usually within a second or so, the intruding male will wiggle free from the original male's grasp and retreat to another site. The victorious male, if the original, will then resume the typical advertisement call within a minute or two after the confrontation. I have witnessed groups of several male H. valerioi sharing the same banana leaf overhanging a small stream. Evidence of obvious breeding and calling activity from all of these males comes from the presence of several egg masses distributed among the population of resident egg-guarding males.

The reproductive strategies of glass frogs differ among various species, but, in general, the males call from chosen sites, and when an interested female comes close, usually within several centimeters, the male jumps onto her back and initiates amplexus. In some species, such as H. fleischmanni, the female often nudges the side of the calling male and crawls underneath him. The male next grasps the female and commences with amplexus behavior (Jacobson, 1985). Amplexus typically lasts for a couple hours or more, after which, if the pair are successful, they deposit typically between 20 to 30 eggs on an appropriate surface overhanging, or close to, stream water. The eggs typically take about two weeks to develop and hatch, often falling into the water below on rainy nights. One suggestion for larvae hatching on rainy nights, is the possible higher turbidity in the streams, due to the rain washing sediments from the land. In this turbid water, the chance for larvae survival from predatory fish is much higher due to reduced visibility (McDiarmid, 1983).

Little is known or reported about centrolenids natural larvae stages, but it is believed they burrow into the detritus that builds up in slower sections of streams and undergo development there.

Glass Frog Captive Care

Appropriate housing for glass frogs is very important for the long-term survival and health of these anurans. Much care and planning is necessary for both the external and internal structures. Because most glass frog species are arboreal in nature, it is best to house them in an enclosure that provides plenty of vertical space for plants and other structures that the frogs will use in captivity. I like to use enclosures that are a least 150 percent higher than they are wide. For example, if the enclosure is 50 centimeters wide, the preferred height is 75 centimeters. You must consider the number of specimens and species you wish to house. In my experience, it is best to house no more than two males and three females in an area 75 centimeters tall by 30 centimeters lateral depth by 35 centimeters wide. These dimensions equate to a 20-gallon area, so, considering the number of specimens for this allotted space, it works out to one frog per four gallons of leaf space.

Glass frogs also benefit from the available light in their ecosystems. Make sure to provide a source of light with the appropriate spectrum and intensity for all the plant and animal specimens. Ventilation allows for the exchange of fresh air into the enclosure. Fresh, clean air is vital to combat problems with pathogens and fungus. Humid, stagnant air is a potential problem for both glass frogs and the plants they live on. Provide enough ventilation to allow fresh air to constantly enter, but be careful not to overdry the enclosure. An ecosystem that is too arid can be almost as harmful as one with stagnant humid air. The vivarium should always smell humid and fresh.

Glass Frog Captive Diet

Glass frogs are excellent little predators, possessing great vision in their little eyes, which are oriented at 45 degrees forward to view the distance of their small prey. They feed by leaping at their prey with an open mouth, and even at a distance of several centimeters, they are dead-on accurate. Glass frogs in the wild feed on a wide variety of live insects and other arthropods, and in captivity the same menu is best. I feed my specimens a diet of drosophilid flies. Glass frogs have incredible appetites, and there is a vital need to have a constant supply of small insects available for them when they are active at night. Other possible food items are any small, soft-bodied arthropods, but use care that they are not poisonous or otherwise dangerous food items.

Glass Frog Captive Breeding

The captive breeding of glass frogs depends on the conditions of the enclosure and the specimens. Healthy specimens in an appropriate enclosure with lots of plants and a moving water source can be encouraged to breed with higher humidity levels. These levels can be attained with heavy spraying or an automated rain-chamber device. An automated rain-chamber device simply refers to any automated spray system that simulates rain showers. The specimens will be in breeding readiness, which is most often demonstrated by calling males in conditions resembling the rainy season. The females must also be given plenty of food to promote the development of healthy eggs, which may be laid once they have successfully gone into amplexus with chosen males.

Egg masses in the wild are typically deposited on the surfaces of leaves overhanging streams below, but in captivity they will deposit on glass and other surfaces in the enclosure. The number of eggs in an egg mass depends both on the health of the specimens and the species, but typically 20 to 30 eggs can be expected.

It is important to thoroughly check the enclosure each morning to locate any possible egg masses that may have been deposited the prior night. When and if eggs are located, you have basically two choices. One choice is to leave the eggs in the enclosure to undergo development there. The other choice is to remove the eggs and place them into a separate incubation container. I have always removed the eggs and placed them into a special incubation container. An incubation container consists of a small, clean, plastic box where you place the eggs, and any substrate to which they may be attached. I provide a small cup with clean water to increase humidity and spray the eggs lightly every couple of days as well. To finish the container, I place a thin plastic film with a few small holes over the top to keep in the humidity.

It is important to prevent eggs from drying out. Watch the eggs closely to make sure no fungal infections take place. If an egg or two goes bad, simply remove the bad egg(s).

The time of egg development varies with temperature and species, but it typically lasts seven to 15 days. After the larvae hatch from their eggs it is time to introduce them into appropriate rearing containers. Rearing centrolenid larvae is tricky, and is typically best done by housing each larva individually. Glass frogs have a long larval stage, sometimes taking a year to completely undergo metamorphosis, but typically the larval developmental stage lasts seven to 10 months. The type of rearing container I have used is one of smaller volume, typically between 250 and 500 milliliters. It is best to use a clean water source, free of possible pesticides, pollutants and other harmful chemicals. I typically use clean stream water or rainwater, but I have also used water produced from a reverse-osmosis (R/O) DI unit. The main problem with R/O DI units is that they sometimes clean the water too well and vitally needed chemical compounds are often absent. I combat this by adding mixed terrestrial substrate rich in mineral and chemical compounds.

Wild glass frog larvae typically undergo development in the detritus of a stream bed, and you should replicate this in the confines of a captive-rearing container. I often collect forest floor substrate and place it into the rearing container. Moss, dead leaves, small twigs, dirt, mud and decaying plant matter are what typically compose the forest floor substrate. Once again, be careful to not include any toxic items or pollutants into this substrate. I next place this substrate into the rearing container and place these containers in an area receiving decent to strong lighting, but be careful not to exceed a water temperature of 27 degree Celsius (80 degrees Fahrenheit) with containers in strong light areas. The water in the container will soon turn a greenish color with the presence of micro algae, and this marks the readiness of the container for the placement of the larvae. Keep a close eye on the developing specimens, and keep track by documenting observations in their development.

The method just described has worked for me, but by no means is it the final word on rearing glass frog larvae. In my opinion, anyone working with anurans in such a manner is, in fact, doing scientific work, and the need for experimentation is vital. Please experiment and share any results with friends and colleagues.

One larvae-rearing method I have been planning is to set up a river-type aquatic ecosystem, with stream substrate and an undergravel filter fitted with a smaller powerhead to provide current. However, I have not experimented with this ecosystem yet and, therefore, have no results to provide. We all need to work together to enhance the captive-breeding efforts among the various captive-bred anurans with which we work.

Once the larvae have reached the stage of metamorphosis, which is typically defined by the penetration of the front limbs, it is time to place them into an intermediate container. An intermediate container should consist of 50-percent aquatic and 50-percent terrestrial environments. Make the container with a gradual slope, which will allow the specimens to easily exit their aquatic environment when they are ready. The glass frogs will be in a transition stage of absorbing their tail remnants for several days and typically will not consume any food items. Once they have fully absorbed their tails, it is especially important to provide a steady supply of small food items for the developing juveniles.

Glass frogs are usually less than a centimeter long when they leave the water, so remember to provide them with tiny food items appropriate to their small size. Watch the juvenile specimens closely to make sure they are actually feeding on the small insects provided to them. This stage after metamorphosis is the most challenging and crucial.

The tiny froglets can be introduced to a rearing container together with their siblings. The rearing container should only provide minimal plant cover. I advise not placing specimens in enclosures more than 50 centimeters by 25 centimeters by 30 centimeters. After a few months of development, when the captive juveniles have reached a length of about 1.5 centimeters, introduce them into larger, permanent setups that have the characteristics of the adults' ecosystems.

Conclusion

Glass frogs are beautiful and rewarding to keep if given the chance. However, they share the fate of many other anurans in the tropics, that of habitat destruction and pollution.

If you are fortunate enough to encounter these rare little rain forest gems, do your part to provide them with the best care possible. Glass frogs are too beautiful to suffer the grim fate of dying in inadequate captive environments. With our combined captive-care efforts, glass frogs, along with many other species of amphibians, may have a second chance in an otherwise bleak future.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The family Centrolenidae refers to a group of small nocturnal and arboreal frogs that live along streams and moving water in the humid forests of the tropical Americas. There are currently more than a hundred species, and they are distributed from southern Mexico, through Central America, to South America, as far south as parts of northern Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Always free of charge, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo is one of Washington D.C.’s, and the Smithsonian’s, most popular tourist destinations, with more than 2 million visitors from all over the world each year. The Zoo instills a lifelong commitment to conservation through engaging experiences with animals and the people working to save them.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As heavy rains and floods turn parched, cracked earth to oozing mud, one of Australia's most incredible frogs is just waking up.

Droplets of water dripping down into its chamber up to 1 m underground are telling the Water-holding Frog that it's time to swim, feed and breed.

If you live in western New South Wales, southern Queensland, north-eastern South Australia, western Western Australia or one of the select spots in the Northern Territory where this species lives - you may spot one during very wet periods.

The Water-holding Frog can stay underground for years at a time before digging itself to the surface to feed after rain. They need to build up fat reserves as fast as possible before the water evaporates from the ground.

Above ground this frog spends most of its time swimming in pools, feeding on insects, tadpoles and smaller frogs. They catch their swimming prey with their hands and stuff it in their mouths. They'll also prey on ants and termites on dry land.

Male Water-holding Frogs waste no time looking for a mate. It sounds like a motorbike starting when a group of males gather beside a pond to call out in congress, making loud, long, slow '' sounds to attract females.

Females lay more than 500 eggs at a time in clumps in ponds. These eggs develop into large, golden tadpoles which must turn into frogs before the water dries up. It takes them about 30 days to metamorphose into young frogs.

The Water-holding Frog needs to get back underground before the ground becomes too hard to burrow through. When the time has come, the frog will burrow backwards into the mud, using their back legs like spades.

Once underground it sheds several layers of skin to create a translucent, waterproof cocoon around itself. This helps it preserve water for the many long months ahead.

The frog's metabolic rate also slows and it enters a kind of suspended animation. It will have to live off fat reserves and water stored in its bladder until the next heavy rains.

Did you know?

If you have a frog pond in your garden, put a solar-powered light beside it to attract insects at night. This will attract frogs looking for an easy meal- and the insects they eat.

Indigenous people used these frogs as a source of food and water when they were out in the desert.

Related Factsheets:

Factsheet

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As heavy rains and floods turn parched, cracked earth to oozing mud, one of Australia's most incredible frogs is just waking up. Droplets of water dripping down into its chamber up to 1 m underground are telling the Water-holding Frog that it's time to swim, feed and breed.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Water is something all living things need to survive. So when we go to a place where it's hot and dry, we make it a point to bring a bottle of water with us. But what about animals? They can't bring water around with them, can they? Well, most of them can't but the water-holding frog is actually capable of accomplishing this feat.

Why Is It Called The Water-Holding Frog?

The water-holding frog gets its name from the fact that it has a built-in water bottle. Where? In its bladder. All animals can store water in their bladder which comes out as urine. Water-holding frogs, however, can store the water for a long period of time. Instead of excreting it as urine, the frogs can bring the water back to its mouth and drink it when it is thirsty. Aside from storing water in their bladders, water-holding frogs can also hold water in the pockets of their skin which they absorb when water is scarce.

Water-Holding Frog Adaptations

Apart from being able to store water in its body, water-holding frogs have other adaptations to heat.

One is that they spend most of their time under the sand, where it is cooler, digging burrows with their shovel-like feet. Sometimes, when there are long periods of hot, dry weather, they remain in their burrows and undergo a process called aestivation.

What is aestivation? Aestivation is when animals sleep for a long time in order to survive. It is like hibernation but occurs in the summer. Whereas hibernation helps animals preserve their body heat and energy during a time when it is very cold and food is hard to find, aestivation can help prevent animals from feeling hotter. This is especially important for cold-blooded animals like frogs whose temperature depends on their environment. When it is very hot, there is a chance frogs will get very hot, as well, which can kill them, so they aestivate to prevent this from happening.

So how do water-holding frogs aestivate? Well, they don't just close their eyes and press a button. First, they produce a large amount of mucus - that slimy substance that also comes out of your nose when you have colds - from their skin, which they then form into a cocoon. This stores water and prevents the frog from drying up while it is asleep. When it wakes up at the end of the drought, the frog simply tears up the cocoon or eats it up and comes out of its burrow, usually to breed.

What Does The Water-Holding Frog Look Like?

The scientific name for the water-holding frog is Cyclorana platycephala. 'Platycephala' comes from two Greek words - 'platy' and 'cephalos' which mean 'flat' and 'head'.

This is fitting because the water-holding frog has a broad, flat head. It also has a round body, short legs and completely webbed feet. It can be gray, dark brown or greenish.

Water-holding frogs are small frogs, which can only grow from 1.6 to 2.8 inches long - smaller than a crayon. Like in most frog species, the females are slightly larger than the males. This is because during mating, the male frog hops on the back of the female and she has to be able to support his weight without getting crushed.

Water-Holding Frog Habitat

The water-holding frog can only be found in southern Australia. As you've probably already guessed, it lives in places where it can be really hot during the dry season, which is usually from April to October. The wet season, on the other hand, happens from November to March, which is usually when water-holding frogs come out to feed and breed.

Water-Holding Frog Diet

Water-holding frogs eat mostly insects and small fish, which they can catch underwater using their strong muscles and their large mouths. They sit and wait for prey and when it passes by, they pounce and trap it inside their mouths, eating it slowly while it is still alive.

Water-Holding Frog Reproduction

Water-holding frogs live alone but come together during the breeding season. After mating, the female lays up to 500 eggs in ponds that have been formed by the rain, attaching them to leaves or spreading them out in a thin film on the water's surface. After a few weeks, the eggs hatch and the tadpoles emerge, which can grow over 2 inches long. The tadpoles gradually develop and before the wet season is over, they will have become fully grown frogs, ready to survive the dry season.

Importance Of The Water-Holding Frog

The water-holding frog is an important animal for the Australian Aborigines. They have a hard time finding water during the dry season, too, and when worst comes to worst, they dig out the frogs, squeezing them gently so that some of the water they stored in their bladders comes out of their mouths. The water then goes into the Aborigines' mouths, quenching their thirst. Afterwards, the frogs are released to go back into their burrows.

Water-Holding Frog Predators

Any larger animal that comes across the water-holding frog can easily have it for a meal. These include snakes, birds, larger frogs, large lizards, crocodiles and dingoes, the wild dogs of Australia. To keep themselves from getting eaten, water-holding frogs quickly escape underground or underwater. They can also produce mucus that makes them slippery.

Is The Water-Holding Frog Endangered?

The water-holding frog is currently classified as a species of Least Concern. This means that it has a large and stable population, even though it is only found in a small corner of the world, and that it is not in any danger of extinction, which is a very good thing, especially since fifteen of Australia's frogs are already considered endangered.

Water Holding Frogs are featured in these following books:
25 Desert Animals
101 Facts... Desert Animals
25 Strangest Animals in the World!

The YouTube video playlist below contains a video about Water Holding Frogs. Details of the videos featured are underneath.
The Playlist:

1. Freaks of Nature: Water Holding Frogs by NationalGeographic

2. Water Holding Frog (Cyclorana novahollindae) by HitchinHerps

3. Water holding Frog Litoria platycephala by Japanearthquake9

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclorana_platycephala
http://frogs.org.au/frogs/species/Cyclorana/platycephala/
http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Litoria_platycephala/
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/frog_waterholding
http://museum.wa.gov.au/explore/frogwatch/frogs/water-holding-frog
http://www.kidsbiology.com/animals-for-children.php?animal=Water-holding%20frog

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Top Water-Holding Frog Facts! Water is something all living things need to survive. So when we go to a place where it's hot and dry, we make it a point to bring a bottle of water with us. But what ...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
What are frogs?

Frogs are a kind of small animal belonging to a group called vertebrates (animals with backbones) known as amphibians. This means that they live part of their life in water and the other part of it on land. The word amphibian comes from 2 Greek words, "amphi" which means "both" and "bios" which means "life". Amphibians are cold-blooded animals. This means that their body temperature is the same as the surrounding temperature. Their skin absorbs water into their body so they do not have to drink water to survive.

Examples of other amphibians are salamanders and caecilians.

Frogs have strong hind legs to enable them to leap forward at a great distance.

The front legs or arms are short. They are used to prop the frog up when it sits.

The Cricket frog (4cm or 1.5 inches long) can leap 40 times its length in one jump!
How big is the biggest and how small is the smallest?
The largest frog is the giant or Goliath frog of West Central Africa. It can grow up to more than 1 ft long (30 cm). The largest frog in America is the Bullfrog. It can grow up to more than 6 inches long.

The smallest frog in the Southern Hemisphere is the Brazilian Gold Frog (Brazilian Psyllophryne Didactyla) at 9.8 millimetres (approx. 3/8 of an inch). In the Northern Hemisphere, the smallest frog is the Monte Iberia Eleuth, discovered on a mountain in Cuba in 1996. They measure about 9.6 - 9.8 mm long. Recently (2010), Scientists have discovered a frog the size of a pea on the South-east Asian island of Borneo. The adult males range in size from 10.6 - 12.8 millimetres, making them the smallest found in Asia, Africa or Europe. This newly discovered amphibian has been named Microhyla Nepenthicola. It is a name of a plant in Borneo on which it lives.

Frogs are special. They can breathe by means of the lungs and also through their skin. This is because of the way their heart is formed. It has 3 chambers instead of the normal 4.
Where do frogs live?
Frogs can be found almost anywhere except the Antartica. However, most species are found in tropical regions. More frogs are found in warmer countries. You can find frogs in water or near places that have water like ponds and streams. However, some frogs will never enter the water. They live mainly on land and go to the water only to mate. Then, there are some kinds that live in trees. These frogs have tiny sticky pads on their fingers and toes to help them cling to the tree trunk as they climb. Some frogs are burrowers. Burrower frogs live on land and have short hind legs and cannot hop. Frogs that live in cold winter places, hibernate during this time. They hibernate either in burrows or buried in mud bottom of ponds.

Frogs also have webbed feet for swimming.

Some have suction disks on the tip of their toes to help them climb.

The back feet of theSpade-Foot toad has a special hard spur to make it easier for burrowing.

Some have large webs to assist them in gliding in the air, almost like flying.
Examples of Gliding Frogs

The spines on the males' front feet help them to grip on the female during mating.
How does a frog catch an insect?
The frog's diet consists mainly of insects, small animals like earthworms, minnows and spiders. Most frogs have a sticky tongue. To catch an insect, the frog flips out its tongue rapidly, get the insect and retracts its tongue. Frogs will swallow their prey in one piece because they only have teeth in the upper jaw. Doesn't do much for chewing! Frogs hunt mostly at night.

Find out more about what frogs really eat and how different species catch their prey
Make A Frog Mask to show the children how a frog catches its prey with its tongue.
Print out the template. Use a party blower for the tongue. Do you know that some frogs do not have a tongue?
Find out more here - tongueless frogs
How does the frog protect itself from the enemy?
The frog has enemies that will eat them. They are bats, heron, fish, racoons, turtles, snakes and even human beings. Human beings eat them and also destroy their natural habitat and prevent them from breeding. Different species of frogs have different kinds of protection.

Some have poison glands in their skin, like a chemical warfare tactic !. The skin will secret and cover the body with the poison and this will deter the enemy from eating them. Some use colors to protect themselves. Some will be a very brightly colored body (especially red and yellow) to warn enemies that it taste bad or are poisonous, so stay away! An example of this is the Poison Arrow Frog (Poison-dart). The American Native Indians used their poison for their arrows. The Malaysian Leap Frog will show bright colors to confuse its enemy. Others will use their color as camouflage to blend into the environment to hide from their enemies. The Red-Eyed Tree Frog does this pretty well.

Frogs also have bulging eyes. This is to enable them to have a panoramic view (can view in all directions) and avoid the enemy.

Some will try to fool the enemy by puffing themselves up with air to make it look too big to be swallowed. An example is the Tomato frog. Then there is this False-Eyed frog which hunches over to show its two false eye spots at the back. The spots also ooze out a foul smelling liquid. The eye spots are to scare the enemy away and if that does not work, it hopes to deter the enemy from eating it by the foul smell.
The Leopard Frog will play dead by keeping very still and holding its breath to avoid being eaten.

Some will give out a loud scream to startle the enemy to drop them. Some will urinate as it jumps away to give it a bad taste and also to cover their scent.

Singing Frogs?
The male frogs are the ones that sing. Different species sing different songs. Males are the ones that have the loud voice. Some females have voices too but they are softer. The males sing (grunts, croaks) to attract the females for mating. Some frogs even have a vocal sac which fills with air and swells up to make the voice even louder, like an amplifier (refer to picture). Some males use their voice as a territorial call to warn other males of the same species that this is their territory.
Mating
Before frogs mate, their bodies go through some changes. These changes are caused by chemicals called hormones. They produce sex cells and changes in the appearance of the frogs like having brighter colors. The chemical changes are brought on by changes in the environment - warmer weather, more hours of sunlight or more rainfall. Once the male frog attracts a female to mate. it will sit on the female's back and hold onto it - amplex position. As the eggs are released into the water, the male will release sperm over them to fertilize them and then they will leave.

Some species do it in a different way though. The Darwin male frog will keep the eggs in their vocal pouch. The male Midwife toad will wind the eggs around their hind legs and carry them about until they hatch (see picture). Certain tropical frogs will lay their eggs among leaves or holes in trees where there is rain water. Some will attach their eggs under leaves which are hanging over the water. When the tadpoles hatch, they fall into the water. An example of this is the Red-Eyed Tree frog. There are some which will lay their eggs on land, under logs and dead leaves. There are even a stranger ones like the Gastric Brooding Frog which give birth to their young via their mouths! The male Surinam toad collects the eggs laid by the female and puts them on her back. Her skin swells up into a pocket-like thing and covers the eggs.

Frogs that live in tropical and semi-tropical regions, breed during the rainy season. This is because tadpoles need water to survive. Others, breed in spring or early summer.
Life Cycle of frogs
The life cyle of a frog is very interesting. It changes from one form to another form in a process called, metamorphosis. Click here to find out more about the Life Cycle of a frog or download the picture for use in class.
Why are frogs important?
Frogs are important to human beings. They are a source of food in some countries. They eat insects, some of which are serious pests. We use them for medical research to test new drugs and students dissect them to learn about anatomy. They are also part of the eco-system which means that whatever happens to them will affect other animals and even us in different ways. We are all connected in the web of life.

MORE FROG FACTS

Are All Frogs Poisonous?
The difference between a frog and a toad

How To Care For A Pet Frog

Strange Frogs
Take a look at some of these STRANGE but amazing frogs.

LET KIDS WATCH THIS INTERESTING VIDEO ON FROGS

LATEST FROG NEWS
Another interesting video to watch : Aqua Frogs

Scientists discover three new vertebrate species in Cape York peninsula, Australia. One of the new discovery is the Blotched Boulder-frog. They live deep under the boulder-field where it is cool and moist during the dry season. In the wet summer season, they come out to feed and breed. The Blotched Boulder-frogs need no pond to lay their eggs. They lay their eggs in the moist cracks of rocks. Unlike the other species, the tadpoles develop into fully formed froglets before hatching.
FROG SONGS & POEMS FOR KIDS
Make sure you check out My Pet Needs That for useful tips on keeping frogs as pets.

MORE FROG FACTS AND INFORMATION
Links to more frog information

FROG CRAFTS FOR KIDS

FROG TEACHER RESOURCES
Frog-related lesson plans and more

FROG STORIES FOR KIDS

FROG CLIP ARTS, ANIMATIONS, GRAPHICS
Original cliparts by kiddyhouse.com

FROG VIDEOS
Watch videos about frogs here.

FREE FROG PRINTABLES

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
What are frogs? Frogs are a kind of small animal belonging to a group called vertebrates (animals with backbones) known as amphibians. This means that they live part of their life in water and the other part of it on land. The word amphibian comes from 2 Greek words, "amphi" which means "both" and "bios" which means "life".

# data[].attributes.body
Frogs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Dorota's Crazy Frog pages!
RIBBIT!

Welcome to FROGLAND!
AllAboutFrogs.ORG

Information Desk

WEIRD Frog Facts
Learn all sorts of true, weird and wacky facts about frogs and toads!
What's the difference between a frog and a toad?
What do frogs sound like?
Life-cycles of the frog, and much much more!

The Frog Blog
Frogs In the News: Regular updates on all the latest news items, pictures and videos about FROGS!

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Frogs
Look here for any kind of pet frog questions, from Raising Tadpoles, feeding your frog and Dealing with Icky Bugs, and also sections on Housing your pet frog. Be sure to visit the Frog Doctor to find out what to do if your frog gets sick. Before you buy a frog, read the section on Your First Frog here. Also, if you want to find out about a specific type of frog, look in the Species Caresheets for in-depth information on different types of frogs. There's even a section with suggestions for Naming Your Pet Frog!

Cool Froggy Stuff

NEW! Froggy Shopping Guide
Looking to find that perfect something for your favorite frog-lover? Here is my short-list of current favorite items for the best froggishly cool gifts.

What Kind of Frog Are You?
Feeling Froggish? Take this personality quiz to find out what kind of frog YOU are!

Frog Bread!!
OK, I just have to add a link to our cool Frog Bread that my husband and I made for our son! The article (which is on another website for artisan bread baking hobbyists that we maintain as well) even includes a recipe and instructions so that you can bake this at home too!

Interactive Froggy Fun and Games
If your browser supports Java, check out some silly java fun. Make a silly story with froggy mad-libs, play memory, tic tac toe, or join in other fun froggish games.
You'll also find some Macromedia Flash and Shockwave fun froggish stuff here too!

About this website
Peek into the twisted mind of the frog freak who created all this silliness.
<

Frogland can be found at: AllAboutFrogs.org

International visitors

All images, including backgrounds and artwork, found at this site are original works created by me,
Dorota, unless otherwise noted. See the About Frogland Images page for more information.
Copyright &copy 1995-2006 Dorota

Frogland : serving you Froggy Silliness since August, 1995!

FROGLAND IS over 10 YEARS OLD!

My Frogland site is proud to have won these AWARDS!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dorota's Crazy Frog pages! RIBBIT! Welcome to FROGLAND! AllAboutFrogs.ORG Information Desk WEIRD Frog Facts Learn all sorts of true, weird and wacky facts about frogs and toads! What's the difference between a frog and a toad? What do frogs sound like? Life-cycles of the frog, and much much more!