# Waxy Monkey Treefrog (*Phyllomedusa bicolor*) The Waxy Monkey Treefrog is a colorful frog that loves to climb trees! It has a special waxy skin that helps keep it moist in the rainforest. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Rainforests ![Waxy Monkey Treefrog](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Giant_Waxy_Monkey_Frog.jpg&width=800) Photo: en:User:Cburnett, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Giant_Waxy_Monkey_Frog.jpg) ## Appearance The Waxy Monkey Treefrog has vibrant lime-green skin, often adorned with white or yellow spots, and a creamy white belly. Its large, golden eyes with vertical pupils are striking, giving it a somewhat alien look. A distinctive waxy coating gives its skin a matte, almost leathery appearance, setting it apart from other glossy frogs. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Phyllomedusidae - **Genus:** Phyllomedusa ## Interesting facts - The males make loud booming calls during mating ceremonies that echo through the rainforest! - They often sleep by pressing their bodies flat against leaves, reducing their profile to hide from predators! - They secrete a substance sometimes used by indigenous people for traditional rituals! - This frog closes its eyes and breathes through its skin, an amazing amphibian trick! ## Special abilities - **Waxy Shield:** Waxy Monkey Treefrog can produce a unique waxy secretion that helps them seal in moisture, preventing dehydration in dry environments. - **Arboreal Acrobat:** Waxy Monkey Treefrog has special gripping pads on its feet that help them cling securely to branches and leaves high in the rainforest canopy. - **Night Vision Hunter:** Waxy Monkey Treefrog can see well in low light conditions thanks to its large eyes, which helps them hunt insects effectively at night. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 9-15 cm - **Weight:** 0.05-0.15 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 500-1000 - **Metamorphosis:** 21-28 days ## Diet & Feeding This treefrog is an insectivore, primarily feasting on various insects and arthropods found in its rainforest home. - **Age differences:** Tadpoles consume algae and detritus, while adults switch to a carnivorous insect diet. - **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Moths, Flies, Beetles, Spiders - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus assimilis*) — Actively hunts and consumes crickets during its nocturnal hunts. - **Eaten by:** Boa Constrictor (*Boa constrictor*) — Juvenile frogs can fall prey to various snakes. - **Eaten by:** Parrot Snake (*Leptophis ahaetulla*) — Can be prey for arboreal snakes in the rainforest canopy. ## Traits - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch frogs in the wild; they need their space to be happy. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Waxy Monkey Treefrog? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Waxy Monkey Treefrog? 9-15 cm ### How much does Waxy Monkey Treefrog weigh? 0.05-0.15 kg ### How long does Waxy Monkey Treefrog live? 5-10 years ### How fast can Waxy Monkey Treefrog move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Waxy Monkey Treefrog eat? This treefrog is an insectivore, primarily feasting on various insects and arthropods found in its rainforest home. ### Where is Waxy Monkey Treefrog usually found? Rainforests ### How does Waxy Monkey Treefrog hunt? Ambush ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Waxy Monkey Treefrog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/waxy-monkey-treefrog)