Big-eyed tree frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Big-eyed tree frog |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Leptopelis
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| Species: |
vermiculatus
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| Synonyms | |
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Hylambates vermiculatus Boulenger, 1909 |
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The peacock tree frog (scientific name: Leptopelis vermiculatus) is a cool frog found in the forests of Tanzania, a country in Africa. It's also known as the Amani forest treefrog or vermiculated tree frog. Sometimes people call it the big-eyed tree frog because of its huge eyes! But be careful, another frog called Leptopelis macrotis also shares that name.
Contents
What Does the Peacock Tree Frog Look Like?
This frog is medium to large, growing about 40 to 85 millimeters long. That's like 1.5 to 3.3 inches! It has two very different color patterns.
Green and Black Pattern
One pattern is a bright green with tiny black spots all over its back. Its sides look like marble, with black and white swirls. Some frogs might even have white patches on their legs, forearms, and upper lip. These white spots are often outlined with dark green or black.
Brown Pattern
The other pattern is brown. These frogs have an uneven, darker brown triangle shape on their back. You might also see random darker or lighter brown spots on their back, legs, and forearms. A dark brown stripe often runs from behind their ear drum (called the tympanum) partway down their side.
Common Features
No matter the color pattern, the frog's belly is always a creamy white. Some frogs can even change from the green pattern to the brown pattern as they get older! Their eyes are super big compared to their body size. They are golden with brown lines and flecks. These frogs have large toe pads, which help them climb trees easily. Their ear drum (tympanum) is easy to see. Sometimes, people even keep these interesting frogs as pets.
Where Do Peacock Tree Frogs Live and What Do They Do?
These frogs live in wet tropical rainforests in Tanzania. They prefer forests with a thick tree cover, found at altitudes between 900 and 1800 meters (about 2,950 to 5,900 feet).
Calls and Territory
Male frogs call out while they are in the water. They are very protective of their space. They have two different calls:
- One call sounds like “ga…ga…ga”. This call is used to attract female frogs.
- The other call sounds like “rrrrrrrr-ga”. This call is used to warn other male peacock tree frogs to stay away from their territory.
What Do They Eat?
Peacock tree frogs are insectivorous, which means they eat insects.
Are There Similar Frogs?
Yes, the peacock tree frog looks a lot like the yellow-spotted tree frog (Leptopelis flavomaculatus). The yellow-spotted tree frog also has many different patterns and colors on its back.
How to Tell Them Apart
- If a yellow-spotted tree frog is in its green phase, it won't have the tiny black specks on its back that the peacock tree frog has.
- If a yellow-spotted tree frog is in its brown phase, it will have a white patch on its elbow. Brown peacock tree frogs do not have this white patch.
Related pages
- Ranoidea exophthalmia, a species of frog commonly known as the big-eyed tree frog.
See also
In Spanish: Leptopelis vermiculatus para niños
