National Geographic Kids USA - September 2017

Eye Spy

As daylight filters down to the

understory (the rain forest layer

above the jungle floor), red-eyed

tree frogs nestle in for a rest.

Tucking their legs against their

bodies, the nocturnal animals

spend the day lazing on plants.

Sometimes they appear to have

their eyes shut. But they can still

observe their surroundings.

The frogs’ peepers have a see-

through third eyelid that’s criss-

crossed with golden lines. They

close the lid over their eyeballs

when resting. But because parts

of the lid are translucent, the

amphibian can spy on its habitat.

The lid may help keep the frog’s

prominent eyes disguised from

foes and allow the frog to stay on

the lookout for trouble while it

re-energizes. If a hunter does

approach, the frog can leap away,

startling its pursuer.

Color Connection

Red-eyed tree frogs are famous

for their rainbow of colors. But

the animals start off almost

completely brown, developing

their bright hues and red eye

color over the first year of

their lives. Experts are still

trying to figure out the purpose

of the frog’s colors—meaning

that these guys still have some

surprises in store for us!

Fast-forward about a month ... A year or so after hatching ...

A FROG USES

A LEAF AS AN

UMBRELLA.

NOW

SHOWING!

Episode

SHOWING!!

Reddddd yyee rerreeeFFFFrFroogog

ANIMALS

AMAZING

ANIMALS

natgeokids.com/jungle

Toxic Taste
Huddling under a leaf as rain pelts down, a red-eyed tree frog senses a dangerous snake. Good
thing the frog has a slimy defense. When it’s stressed out by an approaching predator, it oozes a
stinky, slightly toxic slime through its skin! The clear goo fills the jungle air with a sharp smell
similar to that of a bicycle tire. “Researchers can track stressed frogs in a forest just by fol-
lowing this scent,” says Andres Vega, a biologist in the country of Costa Rica. The fumes aren’t
deadly, but they’re strong enough to make some people’s eyes water and throats itch. The slime
also makes the frogs taste bad to enemies, such as snakes and owls. Some predators that snag
the frog are so disgusted by its taste they let their meal go free.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC KIDS 19

Red-eyed

tree frogs have

an excellent

sense of smell.