Gladiator Tree Frog Costa Rica

by Joan Carroll

Title

Gladiator Tree Frog Costa Rica

Artist

Joan Carroll

Medium

Photograph - Photography And Digital Art

Description

This relatively benign looking frog seen near the Sierpe River in Costa Rica is called a gladiator tree frog. That’s your first clue that all is not peaceful out there in nature. Gladiator tree frogs are easily distinguished by the pencil thin line that runs from the tip of their snout to the middle of their back and also by a prepollex spine (a rudimentary additional digit on the side of the thumb) that protrudes next to their thumbs. During the breeding season, the males excavate a nest in a marshy area. Once the nest is completed and fills with water, the male jumps in and begins to call out to the females. Females will approach the nest and inspect it to see if she approves. Studies have shown females reject the nest about 50% of the time! However, if she approves of the nest she will give the male a full body massage. After mating and after the female lays her eggs, the male will aggressively protect them from other males. If there is a physical battle between males, the males will use their prepollex spines as weapons and try to gouge out their opponent’s eyes and break their eardrums! Wow, it IS a jungle out there!

FEATURED PHOTO, The Weekenders group, 3/23/19

FEATURED PHOTO, Lady Photographers And Artists group, 8/31/18

FEATURED PHOTO, Images That Excite You group, 8/26/18

FEATURED PHOTO, What's New group, 8/26/18

FEATURED PHOTO, Wisconsin Flowers and Scenery group, 8/25/18

Joan carroll, leaf, amphibian

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Uploaded

August 25th, 2018

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