I met him and was able to see these beautiful frogs in the wild firsthand. One of the last known places in Costa Rica (and the world) you can find these amazing frogs is at Brian Kubicki’s Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center. Lemur frog populations have dramatically declined, due likely to chytridiomycosis an infectious disease caused from fungus that has wreaked havoc on Costa Rica’s amphibian populations in recent years even causing the complete extinction of some species. These frogs also lack webbing between their digits on the hands and feet. Its body also changes colors after being exposed to light from a darker, duller green to the more brightly spotted lime green you see pictured above. The lemur leaf frog is another of the world’s most stunning with it’s bulging bright silvery-white eyes. Two of the most beautiful and unique glass frogs the eluded me were the newly discovered Kermit the Frog look-alike and my favorite of all the ghost glass frog.

I wasn’t able to see all 14 species though, and I will definitely be back to search for them again. With the help of several expert guides and researchers I was able to find and locate several different species in the wild and they quickly became my favorite kind of frogs! They watch over and protect their eggs until they hatch and drop into the water below. Many of the glass frog species live high up in tree branches directly above small creeks and streams. There are 14 species of known glass frogs in Costa Rica and they are much harder for the untrained person to locate. These tiny frogs have the most memorizing eyes, bright reflective skin, and many of them are translucent enough underneath to see through their skin and look at their internal organs. Glass frogs aren’t as colorful as the aforementioned frogs but what they lack in color they make up for in spades with uniqueness. They are quite shy and will leap away as you approach. I was also able to find these throughout the country’s forests. They avoid direct sunlight so that they don’t dehydrate, and are commonly found in damp soil, under leaf litter and on mossy foliage. Most frogs are active only at night when it is cooler and wetter but the dart frogs are active throughout the daylight hours. However, you’re better off not risking it as you may have tiny cuts you’re unaware of, and these frogs are small, fragile and best left unhandled and viewed from distance. The toxicity of the poison depends on the sub-species, and the poison of Costa Rica’s dart frogs isn’t strong enough to penetrate through unbroken skin. A common misconception is that if you touch these frogs you will be poisoned and die. These another of the most beautiful and well-known frog families in the country. Costa Rica’s most iconic amphibians is one you should definitely look out for when you visit!Ĭosta Rica has 8 known species of poison dart frogs, also commonly called poison arrow frogs. Once you learn and recognize their calls they become fairly easy to locate and view, but their calls are short lived and once night falls they’re not quite as noisy. Each night at dusk as the forest darkens they awake and begin making a loud, distinct call. They sleep through the day hanging on the underside of large tree leaves and are very well camouflaged. They can be found throughout most of the country and I was view them in nearly every location I went.

Costa Rica has 43 species of tree frogs, none of which more famous. Costa Rica can be considered the best location in all of Central America for viewing these incredible amphibians.ĭuring my month long journey across Costa Rica I focused numerous days and nights seeking out the most unique and dazzling frogs I could find and I barely scratched the surface!Īlso called the red-eyed leaf frog or gaudy leaf frog, it’s easily distinguished by it’s vibrant colors and bright red eyes. While not all of them are brightly colored or particularly sought after by tourists they all play a vital role in the health of the forests. Costa Rica is home to more than 150 known species of frogs and toads of all families and appearances but researchers believe there are countless more yet discovered. The red eyed tree frog is perhaps one of the country’s most iconic and famous residents, embodying the beauty and wonder of the rainforest. Costa Rica is world renowned for it’s abundance of wildlife, none more colorful and dazzling than its diverse population of frog species.

Black and purple mountain tree frog