You’ll find our Amazon milk frogs in the main area of the Tropical House. They can often be found on a tree trunks or sleeping in a row!
Amazon milk frogs, which are also known as Mission golden-eyed tree frogs, are a large species of frog that can measure up to 10cm in length. Their diet consists of insects and other small invertebrates.
As their name suggests, Amazon milk frogs live in the Amazon and can be found in a number of countries, including Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Colombia.
Interesting facts!
- The word ‘milk’ in their name refers to the poisonous milky fluid these frogs excrete through their skin when threatened.
- Amazon milk frogs have special toe-pads on their feet to help them climb plants. These toe-pads can hold up to 14 times a frog’s body weight!
- Adult milk frogs are light grey with brown or black bands, while young frogs are more deeply coloured. As the frogs age, their skin becomes speckled and develops a bumpy texture.
- Their blood is blue, which can give their skin a blue or green tint.
Conservation
Amazon milk frogs are listed as Least Concern in the wild. However, as inhabitants of the Amazon, the species is likely face habitat loss due to logging, forest clearances and human settlements. They are also at risk of contracting chytridiomycosis, an infectious and deadly disease caused by a fungus.
