Amphibians I

.

Various Tree Frogs

These colorful frogs adhere to trees with little suction cup-like discs on their toes.

Dendrobates Reticulatus, - Red -Backed Poison Frog
Dendrobates Lehmanni, - The Harlequin Poison Frog
Dendrobates Auratus, - The Green and Black Poison Frog
Agalychnis Callidryas, - Red Eyed Tree Frog

This painting is an eclectic mix of frogs that would never be seen together. It is important to note that most of these frogs are no bigger than your small fingernail in reality. Mixing them up in this humorous format is meant to be playful and educational to the viewer. Here is a little information on each of the species in the piece:

Dendrobates Reticulatus
The Red-Backed Poison Frog

This is the one with the tadpoles on its back. This beautiful little (14-16 mm in size) poison frog is one of the most easily recognized species yet for years it was put as a synonym of D. Quinquevittatus complex of species, and in many ways it is intermediate between D. Fantasticus and D. Sirensis. The upper back, including the head, is bright orange, surrounded by a brilliant reticulation of black spots on a blue-green to greenish white background. This reticulation continues over the rump and the limbs and also occupies the belly. It is found in the wet rain forests of Peru, mostly in the northeastern part of the country at elevations between 400 and 800 meters. It is a tree-dweller, hiding in the dense assemblage of vines, bromeliads, and other epiphytes on tall jungle trees.
Return to top

Dendrobates Lehmanni
The Harlequin Poison Frog

The Harlequin Poison Frog is one of the most variable of frogs, and there is no doubt that Lehmann's Poison Frog is closely related to D. Histrionicus. Seemingly restricted to the Anchicaya Valley near Dagua, Colombia, this relatively large (31 to 36 mm.) black and orange poison frog first came to scientific attention through specimens collected for the pet trade. The skin is smooth, the first finger is slightly shorter than the second, and histrionicotoxins are absent. Basically it is a glossy black frog encircled by two broad bright orange bands, one behind the head and the other over the hump of the back. The orange bands often are irregularly broken by black. The pattern continues across the belly, though it may be quite irregular there. The arms are encircled by orange, as are the legs. There are a wide range of pattern variations in this species, making it difficult to identify.

They are found at elevations between about 850 and 1200 meters and active during the day. It is usually found on the ground but can sometimes be found in trees. They are extremely delicate and usually become injured easily when captured.
Return to top

Dendrobates Auratus,
The Green and Black Poison Frog

This frog can be found from Panama to Nicaragua. I personally saw them along the Atlantic Coast of Costa Rica while searching the stream beds along the Osa Peninsula. They have a pattern of broad irregular metallic green stripes running from the lower back forward to meet over the snout, while similar green bands are on the lower sides and on the tops of the arms and legs. Across the middle of the back is a wavy green band that intersects the dorsal stripes and usually breaks them, leaving about three large oval black spots covering the back and irregularly joined to the stripes on the lower sides. There are dozens of pattern variations of this same species.
Return to top

Agalychnis Callidryas,
Red Eyed Tree Frog

This popular species has often been confused with poison frogs but is a harmless exotic looking creature that can be found in many areas of Costa Rica. It is especially prolific in the Monteverde area of the country.
Return to top

Return to the Gallery