Amazon Milk Frog

Facts

IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

Facts about this animal

A nocturnal, fairly large frog, attaining sizes up to 8 cm. It is dark brown, with light grey or white banding, patches and points (or light grey with dark brown banding). The belly is also very light grey, with a blue touch at the flancs. Their skin has a very granular or bumpy texture. The feet with their pads are also brown with a blueish sheen. Due to their very large vocal sac the males are capable of producing extremely loud calls.

There is no fixed reproduction period. The females lay about 2.000 eggs in water bodies in leaves or similar water bodies in the trees The tadpoples hatch already after one day. After only three further weeks metamorphiosis is completed. Adults will consume almost any type of small arthropod they can overpower and swallow.

Did you know?
This species was previously within the genus Phrynohyas which was however synonymised with Trachycephalus after the extensive revision of the family Hylidae in the year 2005. Their common name milk frog refers to the poisonous, white, milky secretion that this frog secretes when threatened.

Factsheet
Class	AMPHIBIA
Order	ANURA
Suborder	NEOBATRACHIA
Family	HYLIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Trachycephalus resinifictrix
Name (English)	Amazon Milk Frog
Name (French)	Rainette kunawalu
Name (German)	Baumhöhlen-Krötenlaubfrosch
Name (Spanish)	Rana lechera amazonica
CITES Status	Not listed
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
© Petra Karstedt

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Bolivia; Brazil; Colombia; Ecuador; French Guiana; Peru; Suriname; Venezuela; possibly Guyana
Habitat	This frog inhabits the canopy of tropical primary rainforest, from 0–450 m, where it breeds in tree cavities and may seldom, if ever, descend to the ground.
Wild population	Although rarely recorded, probably because of its arboreal habits, considering the wide distribution a large population is presumed. Local populations however are no doubt impacted by forest conversion, clear cutting, selective logging, and human settlement. However, overall this species seems not to be significantly threatened.
Zoo population	Recently, thanks to successful captive breeding programs, the Amazon milk frog has become relatively common in collections.

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 45 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Why do zoos keep this animal

Neotropical frogs are threatened by habitat distruction, disease and other factors. Zoos and aquariums keeping these species want to build up reserve populations and to raise awareness of the global amphibian crisis. Several zoos have also linked their ex situ activities with involvement in in situ conservation.

How this animal should be kept

It should be offered plenty of room. A terrarium that measures 80 cm by 30 cm by 45 cm is enough room for two adult Amazon milk frogs, although more room is better. The temperature should range from 22 °C to 28 °C during the day with a slight drop in temperature at night. The humidity level that they are kept at in captivity should mimic that of their natural environment (an average of 60-70 % should be ok).

A tight-fitting cover is essential to prevent escapes. Attaching black poster board or an aquarium background to all but one side of the aquarium will reduce stress and make the frog feel more secure. The main components of their cage should consist of a substrate, perches, and hiding areas. The substrate that is used should hold moisture, be safe if swallowed, and easy to clean. Coconut husk fiber (bed-a-beast, forest bed, eco earth, etc.) or other safe soil substrate is a good option.

Since the Amazon milk frog is arboreal, it will do best when provided with hiding spots that are at the top of the cage rather than on the floor. These can be created by resting curved pieces of bark against the side of the cage or by attaching other types of hide spots to the side of the cage with silicone sealant.

A large bowl of clean water should be provided at all times with clean de-chlorinated or spring water which will need changing daily so as to avoid the risk of ammonia and bacteria building up in the water.

They will accept the normal selection of feeder insects such as crickets, wax worms, roaches, mealworms locusts, earthworms, flour beetles, moths, flies and caterpillars. Some adult frogs will also accept pre-killed pinky mice. Adults should be fed every two-three days and the insects dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements once a week.