Even though Costa Rica is a small country, covering approximately 19.700 sq mi (51.100 km2), it is rich in flora and fauna. The Central American country is known for being nature's treasure chest right in the middle of the American Continent. With approximately 6% of the world's biodiversity, many beautiful and unique animal and plant species can be found between its borders.
A group of animals that stands out among all others is the country's frog species. In Costa Rica, there are 175 amphibian types, and, as mentioned by National Geographic, around 149 of these (85%) are frog species. In this article, we'll be featuring 6 of these types of frogs that you might or might not have heard about and we’ll tell you where to find them.
1. Red-Eyed Tree Frog
One of the most renowned Costa Rican frog species is the agalychnis callidryas, also known as the red-eyed tree frog. As its vernacular, or popular, name indicates, this frog's red eyes make it stand out from other types of frogs. However, not only its eyes are noteworthy as all of the frog's colors are vibrant, from the green body to the orange feet. Sometimes, there's even a bit of blue or yellow. The red-eyed frogs are rainforest natives, inhabiting areas near rivers and ponds, especially in National Parks, like Manuel Antonio National Park and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. If you want to spot one of these frogs, the best thing to do is to look for them in the trees since they are an arboreal species and rarely touch the ground
2. Blue Jeans Frog
You might've heard that animals and plants with pretty colors can be dangerous. Such is the case of the blue jeans frog, also known as the strawberry poison dart frog. This tiny frog is one of the wide varieties of the poison dart species and is coated with toxins to keep the predators away. The blue jeans frog is mostly red in color, with blue hindlegs. These frogs can be found around the central area of the country as well as the Caribbean, especially in the tropical rainforest. Similar to other frog species, they can be spotted around Puerto Viejo and Tortuguero.
3. Green and Black Poison Dart Frog
In Costa Rica, there are approximately eight different subtypes of the poison dart frog. Another beautiful subvariety of this species that you shouldn't miss is the dendrobates auratus, also known as the green and black poison dart frog. Just like the other poison dart frogs, they are small in size (approx. 0.19 in) and produce defensive toxins to protect themselves. As their name indicates, the black and green have bright spots of these two colors all over their bodies. The best places to find these cute frogs are Puerto Viejo in Talamanca, in the Peninsula de Osa, or at the Tortuguero National Park.
4. Glass Frog
Costa Rica's glass frogs are as beautiful as they are unique. This group of arboreal frogs is renowned for their translucent abdominal skin, which allows for the visibility of their internal organs like their heart, liver, and intestines. There are approximately 13 different species of glass frogs in Costa Rica. While the distribution of these frogs around the national territory remains mostly a mystery, there are reports of glass frogs in areas like La Selva Protected Zone, Tortuguero National Park, as well as in rainforest habitats around the provinces of Heredia and Limón. Sometimes, they even make random visits to the house's backyards and gardens.
5. Lemur Leaf Frog
The agalychnis lemur, also known as lemur leaf frog, is an arboreal species, as its name suggests. These frogs' skin is of a vibrant green color, which helps them camouflage during the day to avoid predators. Among their characteristics, the aspects of the lemur leaf frog that stand out the most are their bulging eyes and slender figure. Unfortunately, due to a fungus-induced plague that has been attacking them, these frogs are currently considered critically endangered. Since 2003, some efforts have been made by the Costa Rican Amphibian Research Center for their conservation, and, as of right now, they can be found in limited areas like the Gayacán Rainforest Reserve in Limón Province.
6. Yellow Treefrog
Lastly, another type of frog you can spot in Costa Rica is the dendropsophus microcephalus, or the yellow/small-headed treefrog. These frogs are recognizable because their dorsal area is usually pale to bright yellow, with brown parallel lines and bronze-colored irises. These cute frogs are more of a wetland species, opting for moist environments. The yellow treefrog has been spotted around the Toro Amarillo area in the Limón Province in Costa Rica.
Other than the varieties mentioned above, there are more than 100 other frog species you can find in Costa Rica. Colorful and beautiful, the country's frogs are a must-see for animal lovers. When visiting the country, you can take a look around forest areas, National Parks, or Wildlife Reserves. With the company of a camera, you'll definitely get memorable pictures to bring back home.
And if you are looking for a place to enjoy the beautiful country, Out of Office Villa offers a private and tranquil environment. You can observe wild nature visitors right from the backyard while enjoying a swim in the pool. Book a stay with us now.
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