Mexican Treefrog (Smilisca baudinii)

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The Mexican Treefrog

The Mexican Treefrog (Smilisca baudinii) is endangered in some areas of its habitat due to clearing of their local habitat. Tree frogs are usually brightly colored and only found in warm, tropical locations. Most tree frog males are very vocal with sounds ranging from deep, bass growls to higher pitched singsong chirps.

Mexican Tree Frogs are found in the most southernmost tip of Texas and the Atlantic slope of Sonora. They are then found southward and eastward down Mexico into Central America and Panama. They are most active at night, choosing to stay hidden where it is cool, such as beneath tree bark or a rock, in the heat of the day and in the dry season. It is also common to find them in the leaves of a banana tree. They are often found at any temporary water source, either man-made or natural, and the males will often be found on a bush, tree, or shrub calling out at night. They usually are found from sea level up to 3300 feet (1000 meters).

Mexican Tree Frogs are medium sized, ranging from 2-3.5 inches (5-9 cm), and the females are typically larger than the males. The color can be brown, gray, yellow, or green, and some sources state that they actually change color depending on location. There is a pattern of darker spots across the back of the frog. They have very large adhesive pads on each toe, which help them cling to branches and even the side of buildings, and very long legs. The legs are usually covered with dark brown stripes. The eyes are very large and raised with horizontal flattened pupils. Male frogs also have two sacs on the throat that are used for their loud, striking vocalization.

The primary food source for Mexican Tree Frogs seems to be invertebrates, and they are especially fond of insects and spiders. Frogs in general are insectivores, helping humanity by controlling insect populations.

Mexican Tree Frogs are egg layers and all fertilization is external. Males will sit and call out to attract females. Breeding happens all year long, usually coinciding with rainfall. Once a good spot is picked out for egg laying, males frogs will usually grasp the female and sit behind her, fertilizing the eggs the moment she lays them. Females lay piles of eggs, often numbering in the hundreds, that spread out over the surface of a water source. This can be done in almost any location, even if the water source is temporary, as the eggs hatch quickly and the larval, tadpole stage is relatively short. Once they emerge from the water, the tiny frogs are only about 13 mm long.

Further Information on the Mexican Treefrog:

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Bibliography:
Frog. Encarta Encyclopedia, © 2000.
Mexican Treefrog. Accessed 08/26/04 at http://www.enature.com/fieldguide/showSpeciesSH.asp?curGroupID=7&shapeID=1056&curPageNum=45&recnum=AR0566.
Smilisca baudinii. Accessed on 08/26/04 at http://www.zo.utexas.edu/research/txherps/frogs/smilisca.baudinii.html.
Smilisca baudinii. Accessed on 08/26/04 at http://www.vivanatura.org/Smilisca%20baudinii.html.