FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
The Amazon milk frog (Trachycephalus resinifictrix) is a species of arboreal frog found in the trees of the Amazon Rainforest in South America. This tree frog is also known as the mission golden-eyed tree frog or blue milk frog. The name 'Amazon Milk' does not refer to the coloration of its body but refers to the milky, white, sticky secretion excreted by them when threatened. These are large frogs with well-developed toe pads that assist them in climbing various trees with great ease. Amazon milk frogs (Trachycephalus resinifictrix) can be found in large numbers in the northern South American Rainforest canopy, near slow-moving water. They are nocturnal carnivores and feed on insects, spiders, and worms.
In recent years, this species has gained popularity in the pet trade world. These frogs make for great pets. They should, however, be maintained and handled with great caution as their skin is highly sensitive and they can easily get hurt. Besides this, these nocturnal frogs are quite entertaining to look at. Their population is stable and has been listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. However, factors like deforestation and clear-cutting of rainforest canopy have contributed to their habitat loss and a population decline.
The Amazon milk frog (Trachycephalus resinifictrix) is an interesting creature to learn about. Keep reading to find out more fascinating facts about this animal. If you enjoy reading about frogs, be sure to check out tree frogs and pickerel frogs.
The Amazon milk frog is a type of frog.
The Amazon milk frog (Trachycephalus resinifictrix) belongs to the class Amphibia and the family Hylidae.
There are no studies to calculate the total population of Amazon milk tree frogs in the world.
The Amazon milk frog (Trachycephalus resinifictrix) can be found in large numbers in northern South America. Their populations are widespread in South America in countries such as Colombia, Brazil, Guyana, Peru, and Ecuador. They can also be found in the rainforest canopy of Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, and various other islands near the South American coast.
In the wild, milk frogs can be found living in the tropical rainforest canopy. They can rarely be found on the ground. During the breeding season, males can be found in water-filled tree holes, searching and calling for potential mates.
Amazon milk frogs (Trachycephalus resinifictrix) can peacefully coexist in groups. These animals spend their days hiding away from predators in the deep leaf canopy of the South American rainforests.
These milk frogs in captivity can live up to eight years.
Amazon milk frogs reproduce during May and November. Males call loudly while sitting in a water-filled tree cavity to attract mates. The female milk frog lays about 2,500 eggs which are later fertilized by the male. Tadpoles emerge from the eggs rather quickly and hatch only after one day. The tadpoles continue living in unhatched eggs until they are capable of hunting. The metamorphosis, however, of the tadpoles into froglets takes roughly two months.
The Amazonian milk frogs have been given the conservation status of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature or the IUCN.
The Amazon milk frog is light gray with visually striking brown or black banding throughout its body. These animals have mouths and toes that are blue. Their special, large toe-pads help them in climbing. Juveniles are more deeply colored than adults as the frogs' skin becomes bumpier and fades as they age. Their appearance is of great interest around the world.
This tree frog species can appear to be quite cute with its vibrant black, brown markings on the body and its striking golden eyes with black crosses.
Milk frogs are known for their loud vocalizations. During the breeding season, males use their large vocal sacs to produce loud calls and attract females.
The Amazon milk species is one of the largest frogs in South America and has a length between 2.5- 4 in (6.1-10.2 cm). Females are larger than males. There are around two to three times bigger than most poison dart frogs around the world.
There has been no research conducted to calculate the swimming speed of this animal.
Amazon milk frogs can weigh between 0.14-0.18 oz (4-5 g).
There are no unique names to identify the male and female species of milk frogs.
Baby Amazon milk frogs can be referred to as tadpoles.
Milk frogs are carnivorous and consume a large variety of live invertebrates. Crickets, earthworms, and spiders constitute the majority of their diet. Milk tadpoles can feed on eggs of their species as well.
These frogs have been named the 'milk frog' due to their white, smelly, sticky secretion. This substance is secreted through their skin when they feel threatened, and it is poisonous to its potential predators. In captivity, they rarely secrete this substance and are not dangerous to humans. It is, however, recommended to practice caution and you must wash your hands with warm water and soap after handling them.
Yes, these frogs can make for amusing pets if handled with care. This frog species requires large enclosures which would provide lots of perching areas. These animals spend long durations of time in the water, so a large water bowl, wood branches, and live or fake plants inside the terrarium or aquarium are essential. They can be fed a mix of insects like crickets, roaches as well as wax worms, mealworms, and hornworms. Their water bowls should be cleaned daily and adult Amazon milk frogs should only be fed two to three times a week with added vitamin and mineral supplement powder dusted over their food. This frog species is nocturnal and is generally asleep during the day.
Adult Amazon milk frogs shed their skin once a week. They peel off their old layer with the help of their legs and later consume it.
Amazon milk frogs are also known as gold mission frogs due to their bright golden eyes with a distinct cross that resembles crucifixes.
The highly developed toe-pads of the Amazon milk frog can hold up to 14 times their body weight and assist them in climbing trees with ease.
Even after the female has laid her eggs, the male continues with his mating calls on tree holes to attract other females. The eggs laid by this female are not fertilized by the male, but instead, the eggs become the food for the hatched tadpoles.
Milk frogs should not be handled unless necessary, like when cleaning their tank. Their skin is highly sensitive and can easily get damaged if not held with proper care. It is advised to moisten your hands before holding them to make them feel more comfortable. Though a rarity in captive-bred milk frogs, there is always a chance that they will secrete the milky white substance when they feel threatened, so it is best not to handle them like your usual pets.
The easiest way to differentiate between male Amazon milk frogs and female Amazon milk frogs is to observe their size. Females are larger than males.
Another way to identify is through vocalization. If the Amazon milk makes loud calls, it is a male. Only the males have vocalization. The females stay silent and don't make any calls.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other amphibians including spring peeper, or blue poison dart frog.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one on our Amazon milk frog coloring pages.
https://www.thoughtco.com/amazon-milk-frog-4781961
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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