The Amphibian Foundation's Frog Blog

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2wheTqm Cruziohyla calcarifer is a large, beautiful #LeafFrog from northern South America. This is an incredible species to work with and we are grateful for the generous donation of these frogs by Rainforest Junkies #LeafFrogs #LeafFrog #SplendidLeafFrog #Cruziohyla #Cruziohylacalcarifer #AmphibianFoundation #Frog #Frogs #FrogsOfInstagram #FrogsNeedOurHelp

via Instagram http://ift.tt/2kyOn2N This handsome fellow, and many other phyllomedusines were acquired from a generous donation from Mike Novy @ Rainforest Junkies. The private breeders and hobbyists have truly gotten behind the foundation’s mission, and we see it as a wonderful way to connect the hobby with conservation. I first discovered ‘herpetology’, amphibian biology and conservation because my pet Horned Frog (#Ceratophrys ornata) was attacked by an uneaten cricket, and I was sent to discuss this problem to the ‘crazy frog guy’ who had an office in the basement of the Biology Department at UMass. Though my frog never pulled out of the ordeal, it launched a passion and career in me that has only gained momentum in the last 20 years. I would love for The Amphibian Foundation to provide similar experiences for others. This wonderful group of frogs we just acquired will provide valuable training programs for staff, interns and volunteers while we work through rearing them, breed...

We are lucky to be able to work with both #Cruziohyla species in our Amphibian Breeding and Research Lab. Such amazing and interesting animals. #Cruziohylacalcarifer #Phyllomedusinae #LeafFrog #CaptiveBreeding

A composite of different species within the sub-family Phyllomedusinae; family: Hylidae. The Leaf Frogs (genera: Agalychnis and Cruziohyla ) are so named from their incredible coloration and camouflage (sometimes bordering mimicry) as well as their reproductive behavior of laying eggs on leaves above water. Monkey Frogs (genus: Phyllomedusa typically have reduced webbing on the hands and feet and rather than jumping, seem to prefer climbing, with slow deliberate movements. You can find frogs of all these genera on exhibit in the Fuqua Conservatory lobby

This close up of a sleeping Splendid Leaf Frog makes the frog look more reptilian, than amphibious

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A Splendid Leaf frog ( Cruziohyla calcarifer ) was featured on Fox 5's 'Wednesday's Child' program Wednesday's Child: William - Atlanta News, Weather, Traffic, and Sports | FOX 5 Wednesday's Child, A National Program to help children find adoptive families, featured William at the Atlanta Botanical Garden last week. Karen Graham and William toured around the Garden, and the frogs, some of which were featured in the segment, as well as myself, Tracy and Anita, our Wednesday volunteer. For more information on William, please click here: http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/23708214/wednesdays-child-william Anita Wallace, one of the Amphibian Program volunteers, showing William some of the Panamanian frogs William knew a lot about frogs, and was mesmerized (as am I) with the lethal Colombian species

It has been a busy summer here in the amphibian program. For me, it was hard to be gone for the entire month of June, and then again for another week last week at IHS. The Costa Rica exhibit. This picture illustrates the differential leaf side preference of the two resident species of Tree frog. Lemur frogs typically sleep on the underside of leaves, whereas glass frogs will stick to the tops. Here are some recent pictures of some of the frogs I missed so much while I was gone, many of which are currently in breeding groups for the summer... Incilius conifera (Bufo conifera) | Green spiny toad in the Panama exhibit Splendid leaf frog | Cruziohyla calcarifer in the Colombia exhibit. One of our newest additions, the Green and black poison frog | Dendrobates auratus The Green and black poison frogs were shy at first, but now you can usually see at least a few of the five at any point in the day. Here they are in a 'coconut hut' placed in there to enco...

One of the Dendrobates tinctorius varieties we have in our Okipipi exhibit — the Azureus morph Every Saturday morning @ 11,  we host a frog feeding and informal talk where visitors of all ages are encouraged to attend. We have an assortment of bugs to offer the frogs in each exhibit, and an Amphibian Discovery Cart with materials and information about frogs; including information regarding some of the problems these animals are facing and why they need conservation programs such as ours. Most of the time, we get between 50 and 100 visitors during the event, and it's exciting to see so many amphibian enthusiasts! Our 2 Poison frog exhibits are popular with visitors as the frogs are active and not afraid to be watched.   Our Frogs of Panama exhibit has more frogs on display than any other, but it takes time to spot all 4 species. I like to start the talk with the Poison frogs , specifically our Phyllobates exhibit ' Colombia's Terrible Trio '...

I had a rare opportunity to see the female Leaf frog, from our 'Splendid Leaf frogs' exhibit molting (shedding its skin) today. Usually, these frogs are fast asleep all day, and as I walked by their exhibit, there was a crowd gathered around watching her as she put on a show. Watching one of these frogs molt is quite dramatic. They use their arms and legs to pull the outer layer of skin towards the head and, like most frogs, promptly eat it. (waste not, want not) I was able to get a few shots of her in action, and it was also nice to see her awake during the day—even if it was only for a few moments.

Hiding in plain sight! It was a cold morning today for Valentine's Day , but we had a lot of excited guests crowded around the frog exhibits! The highlight of this week's Sunday frog feeding tour, for me, was the Splendid Leaf Frogs . They really have the life! Most of them don't even wake up for their food, which is conveniently fed to them on foreceps. Cruziohyla calcarifer , the Splendid leaf frog Unlike many frogs, these leaf frogs grasp food in their front hands and stuff it into their mouths. This can be quite dramatic, as it was today. One of the males was hanging upside-down from a leaf while rather ungracefully stuffing a cricket in its mouth. Moments later, that same frog was fast asleep—back on its leaf. I couldnt get a picture of that spectacle (I was busy with the foreceps) but here are some photos of these beautiful frogs—truly splendid. Hope to see you there next time—11 am every Saturday in the conservatory lobby!