Ryan Photographic - Centrolenidae - Glass Frogs

Family Centrolenidae

Glass frogs have a semi-transparent belly which allows many of their internal organs to be seen and gives them their common name. They are mostly small tree frogs with the largest reaching 77 mm. Centrolenids range from Central America through South America. AmphibiaWeb recognises 153 species and new species are still being discovered. Hyalinobatrachium dianae was described from Costa Rica's Talamance mountains in 2015.

A transparent belly isn't their only claim to fame: they have green bones - presumably as a result of the accumulation of bile salts. They also have the ability to reflect infrared light in the same frequencies as the leaves on which they rest which makes them invisible to predators that can hunt in these wavelengths.

The eggs are laid on leaves overhanging streams or pools of water. The tadpoles develop rapidly and drop into the water when they reach full size. Recently it has been shown that in several frog species the tadpoles can accelrate hatching in response to egg predation. Egg predation is a very real threat throughout their range thanks to the presence of specialized frog egg eating snakes such as the cat-eyed snake. This behavior, while not yet reported in glass frogs, is likely.

I have a soft spot for glass frogs - their forward facing eyes seems to give them more personality than most other frogs.

Cochranella granulosa Grainy cochran frog

Espadarana prosoblepon Emerald glass frog

FROG 0843 Espadarana prosoblepon Emerald glass frog captive Costa Rica.

Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni Fleischmann's glass frog

FROG 0623 Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni. Captive, Costa Rica.

Hyalinobatrachium valeroi Reticulated glass frog

Frogs

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