Blue-sided Tree Frog
Agalychnis annae
A rare gem from Costa Rica. Similar to the Red-Eyed Tree Frog, but featuring golden/pink irises and entirely sky-blue limbs. Demands extremely high hygiene standards.
Environnement
Terrestre
Humidité
70 - 85 %
Température diurne
22 - 25 °C
Température nocturne
18 - 20 °C
Température ambiante
22 - 25 °C
Enclos minimal
>= 45 L
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Arboreal species endemic to the cool and moist premontane and montane rainforests of the Central Valley in Costa Rica. They live high in the canopy, clinging to large leaves of bananas, vines, and tree ferns near slow-moving water sources.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Phyllomedusidae. Commonly known as the Blue-sided Tree Frog or Orange-eyed Tree Frog. It is an endangered species threatened by habitat loss and urbanization. Highly prized by experienced keepers.
Behavior and Habits: Strictly nocturnal and arboreal. During the day, they sleep flattened and camouflaged against broad leaves. At night, they become active, walking and leaping gracefully along branches in search of prey.
Morphology: Large tree frog, reaching 6-8 cm in length. Dorso is bright green to dark olive-green. The flanks and inner thighs feature striking sky-blue, lavender, or purple coloration. Eyes are large with golden-orange irises. Females are significantly larger than males.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Terrarium Setup: Requires a tall, vertical terrarium (minimum 45x45x60 cm, ideally taller) with excellent ventilation. Furnish with sturdy branches, vines, and broad-leaved live plants (Monstera, Pothos, Philodendron). Provide a shallow water dish.
Lighting and Heating: Prefers cool temperatures between 22-25°C during the day, with a night drop to 18-20°C. High temperatures above 30°C are fatal. Provide 5% UVB lighting to ensure proper bone development.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain humidity between 70-80% using daily misting with dechlorinated water. Ensure high ventilation to avoid stagnant conditions, which can lead to bacterial skin infections (Red Leg disease).
Feeding and Supplementation: Voracious nocturnal insectivore. Feeds on crickets, roaches, and flies. Dust food items with high-quality calcium and vitamin D3 supplements three times a week.
Compatibility: Peaceful and gregarious. Can be housed in groups in sufficiently large setups. Do not mix with other frog species to avoid stress, disease transmission, or hybridization.
Health and Common Diseases: Stress-sensitive. Avoid handling as human skin oils are harmful. Snout injuries can occur if they panic and crash into the glass. Maintain pristine terrarium hygiene to prevent pathogens.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Arboreal species endemic to the cool and moist premontane and montane rainforests of the Central Valley in Costa Rica. They live high in the canopy, clinging to large leaves of bananas, vines, and tree ferns near slow-moving water sources.
Origine
Amérique centrale et CaraïbesAmérique du Nord
Profil d'amphibien
- Régime alimentaire
- Insectivore
- Agalychnis annae is a nocturnal ambush predator that feeds on a wide array of flying and climbing insects. In their native Costa Rican rainforest canopy, they consume moths, crickets, flies, and occasionally smaller frogs. In captivity, their diet should consist mainly of appropriately sized crickets, roaches, and larger flies. It is vital to gut-load these insects and dust them with a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement to ensure the frogs receive proper nutrition.
- Espérance de vie
- 8-12 years
- Taille adulte
- 8.5 cm
- Mode de vie/microhabitat
- Arboreal
- The Blue-sided leaf frog is an arboreal amphibian native to the humid premontane and lower montane rainforests of Costa Rica. They spend the vast majority of their lives in the trees and shrubs, rarely descending to the forest floor except to breed. Their slender bodies and adhesive toe pads are perfectly evolved for a life spent clinging to smooth leaves and branches. A tall, vertically oriented terrarium with sturdy plants like bromeliads and philodendrons is essential for their captive care.
- Cycle d'activité
- Nocturnal
- Agalychnis annae is strictly nocturnal, remaining completely inactive and camouflaged during the daylight hours. Their activity begins shortly after dusk when the humidity rises and temperatures begin to cool. Throughout the night, they actively hunt, explore, and socialize within the upper levels of the forest or terrarium. Captive enclosures must respect this cycle, providing a dark, quiet environment at night to allow for natural hunting and activity.
- Sociabilité
- Solitary
- This species is relatively docile and spends its days sleeping tightly affixed to the undersides of large leaves, relying on its green coloration for camouflage. At night, they become highly active, using their large, striking golden eyes to hunt for prey in low light. When startled or threatened, they may flash their bright blue and orange flanks to startle predators before escaping. They are excellent climbers, utilizing their long limbs and specialized toe pads to navigate the canopy.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- The reproduction of the Blue-sided leaf frog typically occurs during the rainy season. Mating takes place in the trees, where the female, often carrying the male in amplexus, lays gelatinous clutches of eggs on leaves overhanging water. As the embryos develop, they can sense vibrations from predators and may hatch prematurely to escape. Normally, after about a week, the tadpoles hatch and drop directly into the ponds or slow-moving streams below to complete their aquatic development.
- Toxicité
- Harmless
- The Blue-sided Tree Frog is not considered toxic to humans or large animals. However, their skin produces mild secretions that can be distasteful to some predators. These secretions also help protect the frog from bacterial infections. Handling should be avoided to protect their sensitive, permeable skin.
- Stade de vie
- Metamorphosis
- Development starts with eggs laid on vegetation, hatching into aquatic tadpoles after a week. The tadpoles are filter feeders, growing over several months before metamorphosis. Once they transform into froglets, they adopt a completely arboreal lifestyle. Adults reach sexual maturity within a year.
- Tolérance aux manipulations
- Display only
- The Blue-sided Tree Frog is considered a display-only species. Their delicate skin is highly permeable and easily damaged by the natural oils, salts, and chemicals on human hands. Handling induces severe stress and should be strictly avoided except during essential health checks or enclosure transfers.
- Brumation
- The Blue-sided Tree Frog originates from relatively stable tropical or subtropical environments and does not undergo a true brumation. They require consistently warm and stable temperatures year-round to maintain proper digestion, metabolic activity, and overall immune health.
- Mue
- Periodic
- High ambient humidity (typically 70-90%) is critical for the Blue-sided Tree Frog. Like most amphibians, they routinely shed their outer layer of skin and rely on moisture to prevent it from sticking or restricting movement. They often consume the shed skin for nutrient recycling.
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