Spotted Leaf Frog

Fascinating facts about the Spotted Leaf Frog

• Between 50 and 1,200 m above sea level, this frog hides in Brazil’s forest interiors and along the edges, never venturing into open land.
• Its skin can switch between brown and green tones, a trick scientists call polyphenism.
• A typical clutch contains about 42 ± 19 eggs, each deposited on a leaf hanging over a stream. When the embryos hatch, the tiny tadpoles plunge straight into the water below. This clever placement links the frog’s reproductive success to the presence of clean, flowing streams.
• Although past logging sliced through parts of its range, the species is now listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
• Scientists note that this frog can produce a variety of useful chemicals in its skin.

At a glance

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