Different Kinds of Frogs in the Rainforest

All frogs require a high degree of moisture in their habitat for efficient respiration. In temperate forests, frogs are often confined to ponds and other wetlands. The high humidity and frequent rainfall of tropical forests allows frogs to flourish beyond the pond, making the frog the wildly abundant in this habitat. Countless species of varying size and color have emerged, each adapting to its particular environment.

  1. Poison Dart Frogs

    • Poison dart frogs, of the Dendrobatidae family, are found in Central and South America. Although only 1 to 2 inches in length, this small animal is famously lethal. The toxins present in a single poison dart frog can be strong enough to kill 10 adult humans. These frogs are conspicuously colored in greens, blues, yellows and reds, a characteristic that has evolved for its success in deterring predators. Each sub-species of the family, including the yellow-banded, blue and strawberry dart frogs, can be identified by its unique coloring and pattern of spotting.

    Tree Frogs

    • Tree frogs live most of their lives in the tropical canopy. They generally descend to the forest floor only to mate or nest. The most common of the tree frogs is the red-eyed tree frog, a member of the Hylidae family. This frog, though common through southern Mexico, Central America and northern South America, is difficult to spot. During the day, its bright green body is stuck to the underside of canopy leaves. At 1 to 2 inches, the frog often goes undetected. If a predator does disturb its sleep, the frog reveals its characteristic red eyes. Evolutionary biologists have speculated the eye color of this tree frog developed to startle its predators briefly enough for the frog to escape.

    Tomato Frog

    • The tomato frog, in the Microhylidae family, is named for its bright red coloring. This frog, measuring 4 inches in length, will increase its size when threatened by inflating his body. It will also secrete a thick toxic substance, also meant to deter its predators. The frog prefers to live in the ponds of the Madagascan tropics, but has been known to adapt to the harsh conditions of an urban environment.

    Flying Frog

    • Flying frogs, of the Rhacophoridae family, are also known as gliding frogs. This frog is characterized by thickly webbed feet, which help the frog glide between branches up to 50 feet apart. Wallace's flying frog is the largest of this type, stretching as long as 4 inches. While flying frogs are found in tropical habitats throughout the world, Wallace's flying frog is particular to the jungles of Malaysia. The Wallace's flying frog is easily identified by its bright green back and large black feet.