Lemur-Laubfrosch
Agalychnis lemur
Lemur Leaf Frog
Agalychnis lemur
CC goal
40 breeders
As at 05/2024
CC goal
225 animals
As at 05/2024
CC goal
40 breeders
As at 05/2024
CC goal
225 animals
As at 05/2024
No traction: the Lemur Leaf Frog is a typical leaf frog, a group of approximately 65 species, native to the tropical Americas. The animals are adapted to the trees as they spend practically their entire life in the branches and foliage of trees and bushes. They walk about at lofty heights, grasping the branches to find a secure hold – and if they need to go fast, they sometimes even risk a daring jump.
Cross frogs
The Lemur Leaf Frog is one of approximately 65 species of leaf frogs in the Latin American rainforests. The most common leaf frog is the Red-Eyed Treefrog Agalychnis callidryas.
The Morelet’s Treefrog’s Agalychnis moreletii habitat ranges from Mexico to Honduras. This species’ population also dramatically decreased because of the chytrid fungus.
The Blue-sided Treefrog Agalychnis annae has gone extinct in most parts of its original habitat in Costa Rica because of the chytrid fungus.
The Gliding Treefrog Agalychnis spurrelli lives in northern South America. It can travel long distances between trees in gliding flight.
The Orange-legged Treefrog Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis is a typical resident of the Amazon rainforest. Fortunately, this species is still common and lives in a widespread habitat.
The Phyllomedusa sauvagii applies a type of sunscreen every day to protect itself from the intense sunlight in Chaco, South America.
The Tiger-striped Leaf Frog Phyllomedusa tomopterna is a widespread species in the Amazon basin.
The bony White-lined Leaf Frog Phyllomedusa vaillanti from the Amazon rainforest.
The Splendid Leaf Frog’s Cruziohyla calcarifer habitat ranges from Central America to Columbia. It is one of the most beautiful, and, being almost nine centimeters long, also one of the biggest leaf frogs.
Ghosts in the forest
The Lemur Leaf Frog’s spindly body and giant eyes give it a ghostlike appearance. It is very small: while females reach a length of 4.5 centimeters, males don’t even grow to 4 centimeters. The frogs live at altitudes of 440 to 1600 meters. The Lemur Leaf Frog’s big eyes and vertical pupils reveal that they are strictly nocturnal. At night, they are olive green with a red shimmer and small spots. During the day, they become a bright apple green, almost yellow, and attach themselves to a similarly colored leaves, tuck in their limbs, and close their eyes. This way, they can spend their day resting, perfectly camouflaged.
Frog-development
Tobias Eisenberg caring for his Lemur Leaf Frogs.
Terrariums for Lemur Leaf Frogs.
The terrarium is heavily watered to start the reproduction process.
Male Agalychnis lemur exhibit territorial behavior and fight each other to prove their dominance.
The frogs attach their spawn to the leaves above the water.
The tadpoles are bred in aquariums.
This tadpole’s hind legs are already well-developed.
The journey onto land.
Parents with their offspring that have just stepped onto land for the first time. |
Lemur-Laubfrosch in a terrarium.
Wave of death
Lemur Leaf Frogs used to be widespread in Costa Rica, Panama, und up to the northernmost edges of Columbia. Then the chytrid fungus rolled over Central America, bringing with it a wave of death and decimating entire populations of frogs. It also reached Lemur Leaf Frogs – but luckily not all of them. Only small but isolated populations managed to withstand the fungus. Apparently, these animals ‘learned’ to live with it. Scientists are fascinated with this mechanism, but do not entirely understand it yet.
The fungus also reached Lemur Leaf Frogs – but luckily not all of them
Lemur Leaf Frog ©Tobias Eisenberg
Breeding Hope
Lemur Leaf Frogs are not only threatened by the chytrid fungus, but also by humans. The forests where the frogs live are being cut down, and they do not like to be disturbed. This is also why they are nowhere to be found in cultivated environments or in woods that have been heavily altered by humans. Even so, zoos and private breeders have been quite successful in breeding this species in captivity. Citizen Conservation wants to help establish these populations and conserve their genetic diversity. Let’s hope this frog won’t actually be a ghost soon!
For breeders
Basic information on biology and breeding
For experienced breeders. Terrarium size for one breeding group: 50 x 50 x 60–100 cm (length x width x height). No need for substrate, but plenty of plants and branches. Temperatures of 24–26 °C during the day and 18–20 °C at night. Feed with insects. Stimulate reproduction through heavy watering. Tadpoles eat fish food and are bred in aquariums.