Red-eyed tree frogs

Being green helps the red-eyed tree frog blend in with tree leaves. This keeps it hidden from both the insects it eats and the predators that want to eat it. Red-eyed tree frogs are nocturnal, or active at night. During the day they rest. When one of these tree frogs sits still on a green leaf, legs tucked in and eyes shut, it is practically invisible.

A female red-eyed tree frog has laid a batch of eggs on a leaf. She chose the spot carefully—the leaf hangs over a pond. When the eggs are ready to hatch, which happens at the same time in one batch of eggs, the tadpoles inside start swirling around vigorously. The activity breaks each egg open, releasing the little tadpoles.

All the tadpoles wash down the leaf in a little stream of moisture from the hatching eggs, and—plop! plop! plop!—they land in the pond below. Feeding on tiny insects, the tadpoles live in the water they fell into until they metamorphose, or develop, into little brown froglets. At this point they leave the water and climb up nearby trees to live as tree frogs.

By the time they're adults, the frogs have turned a striking green, with blue-and-yellow striped sides, orange or red feet, a flash of blue on their thighs, and big red eyes. So why do the frogs have brightly colored bodies and huge red eyes?

The bright colors are a defense mechanism. If the green camouflage fails and a predator spots a sleeping frog, it swoops in for what it thinks will be a tasty meal. But the awakened frog's eyes pop open, revealing their startling bright red color!

Also, when the frog rushes to get away, it untucks its brightly colored legs. The predator is often so surprised by these sudden flashes of color that it is momentarily confused and hesitates. And while it does, the frog has a split second to make its escape!

FAST FACTS
The red-eyed tree frog's scientific name is Agalychnis callidryas. "Callidryas" comes from the Greek words that mean beautiful tree nymph.

The scientific name for the tree frog family is Hylidae.

Tree frogs, like all frogs, are amphibians.

The red-eyed tree frog's inner thighs are blue.

Tree frogs have suction disks on their fingers and toes that help them stick to leaves.

Frogs that live in trees tend to walk and climb, rather than hop. They are good climbers, with feet and toes adapted to their lifestyle.
Red-eyed tree frogs are carnivores and eat mainly insects. Fish, dragonflies, and water beetles prey on tadpoles belonging to the red-eyed tree frog family.

Sometimes the red-eyed tree frog is known as the red-eyed leaf frog.

Predators of red-eyed tree frogs include snakes, bats, spiders, and birds.