In Costa Rica, thousands of tree frogs look for love

Green frogs clinging to blades of grass with many eggs attached

OSA PENINSULA :: COSTA RICA

In the summer of 2018, I traveled to Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula to study the gliding tree frog. These nocturnal amphibians live high in the rain forest canopy, on the tippy tops of the branches, only coming down when it’s time to breed. In fact, most of what we biologists know about them (and many other tree frog species) is from studying them during mating season, when they are easiest to observe.

After heavy rainstorms, male and female frogs leap from the treetops, using their large, splayed webbed feet like parachutes to descend to rain forest ponds in search of mates. But this isn’t a typical frog love story—they take part in what we call an “explosive breeding aggregation,” meaning thousands of frogs gather at the same time and place to reproduce in one short burst.

On the day I took this photo, nearly 10,000 frogs were at the pond. I was standing waist-deep in murky water, with frogs frantically hopping, fighting, and gliding above me in the leaves. I was so caught up in the moment that I shot over 800 photos in just a few hours, all while trying to avoid disturbing two resident caimans that waited to prey on any falling frogs.

When I reviewed my photos later, this shot stood out—a male frog staring directly into my lens. Just like all the other single males at the “party,” this guy was looking for a mate. Thankfully, he also took a moment to strike a pose amid the chaos.

Explore More

About
World Wildlife magazine provides an inspiring, in-depth look at the connections between animals, people and our planet. Published quarterly by WWF, the magazine helps make you a part of our efforts to solve some of the most pressing issues facing the natural world.

View all issues View the current issue's PDF