A Cool Red-Footed Amphibian!

The Lodge at Chaa Creek located in the western dense forests of Belize is home to the fascinating Red-Footed Tree Frog scientifically known as Tlalocohyla Loquax. Our guests can observe this red-footed frog in our “Creatures of the Night” tour in which our experienced and knowledgeable naturalist guides will take them through trails populated by Ocelots, Howler Monkeys, Tarantulas, Patoos, Jaguarundis and many more intriguing rainforest residents.

These are medium-sized tree frogs, with adult males 33 to 45 mm in total length and adult females 38 to 47 mm, characterized by having a yellow venter and bright red or orange coloration on the backside of the thighs and on the webbing between the fingers and toes. The upper surface is smooth, while the venter is granular. At night, the dorsal surfaces are typically yellow to reddish brown. During the day, the upper surface is yellow to pale grey, almost white.

It is a relatively uncommon nocturnal species that primarily breeds in deep bodies of standing water (both permanent and temporary). Males call through with a loud “kaaack” or “wonk” note that resembles the honking of geese from floating leaves in the deepest parts of the breeding ponds. Although this species is not an explosive breeder, its reproduction peaks in July and early August and in mid-rainy season. Each clutch contains about 250 eggs and forms a large gelatinous mass that is attached to vegetation near the water surface.

This species is found in humid lowlands and premontane slopes of the Atlantic versant in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Their habitat is typically around temporary ponds in Lowland Moist and Wet Forest zones and marginally in premontane Wet Forest and Rainforest.