SF Zoo Tropical Rainforest and Aviary Amphibian and Reptile Guide
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Mexico Cuba ATLANTIC OCEAN Poison Dart Frogs Cayman Poison dart frogs are some of the most colorful and deadly frogs on the planet. Their bright colors Islands warn potential predators of their toxicity. The poison comes from the frog’s skin, so any animal that Venezuela tries to eat one of these dangerous frogs will be affected by the poison. Scientists believe that the Panama Colombia poison is transferred to the frogs from the food that they eat in the wild. They are called “poison dart frogs” because some indigenous Amazonian tribes collect the poison from the frogs and put it on Ecuador blowgun darts, which are used while hunting. Many poison dart frogs display parental care to Peru eggs and tadpoles, which is rare amongst frog species. Bolivia PACIFIC Brazil Paraguay OCEAN Chile Uruguay Argentina Photo: Marianne Hale Marianne Photo: Photo: Marianne Hale Marianne Photo: Hale Marianne Photo: Green and black dart frog Dyeing dart frog Golfodulcean poison frog Dendrobates auratus Dendrobates tinctorius Phyllobates vittatus Red-eyed tree frog Red-eyed tree frogs get their name from their distinctive Agalychnis callidryas eyes. It is not known whether the eyes aid in their nocturnal lifestyle or if they are a defense mechanism known as “startle Diet: crickets, moths, flies, grasshoppers coloration,” which startles would-be predators and gives and other insects the frogs a chance to flee. Eggs can differentiate between Habitat: lowland tropical benign vibrations such as rainfall and the vibrations of an rainforests with high humidity approaching predator, such as a snake, and will hatch early when threatened. Red-eyed tree frogs are a charismatic Range: Mexico, Central America rainforest species and are frequently associated with rainforest Status: least concern conservation programs. AMPHIBIANS Although sometimes mistakenly called a “rubber eel,” COMING SOON Aquatic caecilian Typhlonectes natans caecilians are actually amphibians. They breath air from the surface and absorb air through their skin like other Diet: invertebrates, insects and worms amphibians such as frogs and salamanders. Aquatic caecilians Habitat: seasonally flooded grasslands, are limbless. They can sense light and dark shapes with river, lakes, marshes their covered eyes and hunt by using their sense of smell. Range: Colombia and Venezuela They have a strong skull which they can use for digging or burrowing. Most caecilian species live underground and are Status: least concern Photo: Robert Sprackland Robert Photo: rarely seen by humans. COMING SOON Photo: Janet Utech Janet Photo: Photo: Arthur Chapman Photo: Photo: Joachim S. Müller Joachim Photo: Suriname toad Amazon milk frog Panamanian golden frog Smoky jungle frog Pipa pipa Trachycephalus resinifictrix Atelopus zeteki Leptodactylus pentadactylus Diet: small fish and invertebrates Diet: invertebrates, mostly spiders Diet: small invertebrates: ants, Diet: insects, small reptiles, such as worms and insects and insects beetles, flies, wasps, silverfish, spiders amphibians, mammals, birds Habitat: slow moving waterways Habitat: tropical rainforest canopy and caterpillars Habitat: subtropical or tropical lowland forests, swamps, Range: Amazon Basin and Caribbean Range: throughout the Amazon Habitat: terrestrial and diurnal, riverbanks or marshes Status: least concern Basin living in montane forests Range: Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, One of the most remarkable things Status: least concern Range: Central Panama Bolivia and Brazil about the Suriname toad is its The name “milk frog” comes from Status: critically endangered Status: least concern reproductive habits. The males the poisonous milky secretion One frog contains enough toxins grab the female in a position called that they emit when threatened. to kill 1,200 mice, and their bright When threatened, smoky jungle amplexus and the pair perform They have large vocal sacs and can coloration warns potential predators frogs will try to appear larger by somersaults in the water. After the produce a loud call. Males will of this defense. Due to their high inflating their lungs and standing male fertilizes the eggs, the eggs stick vocalize from a water-filled tree toxicity, they amble confidently tall on all four legs and will also to the female’s back and the female cavity on a clear night to better through the forests in the daylight, emit a high-pitched shriek. They remains still. The eggs sink into the carry the sound of their call. with casual response to potential release a slippery, mucus-like skin and the skin grows over the threats. Panamanian golden frogs are secretion from their skin, which is fertilized eggs. The babies emerge technically toads despite their name. toxic to many animals. directly from the mother’s back. Snakes of the Rainforest Tropical rainforests are home to a wide variety of snakes species. Many of them use trees to their advantage, lying in wait for unsuspecting prey to come within reach. These arboreal Mexico predators can grasp tree branches with their tails and use it as an anchor from which to ambush Cuba ATLANTIC OCEAN prey. Some also have heat sensors, which help them to detect prey in the dense Cayman canopy. Numerous rainforest snakes are threatened by habitat destruction, as well as being Islands hunted both for their skin and for the pet trade. Venezuela Panama COMING SOON Colombia Ecuador Peru Bolivia Photo: Marianne Hale Marianne Photo: PACIFIC Brazil Paraguay Emerald tree boa Amazon tree boa Baron’s green racer Red-tailed boa OCEAN Chile Corallus caninus Corallus hortulanus Philodryas baroni Boa constrictor constrictor Diet: rodents, lizards, frogs, Diet: birds, bats, frogs, Diet: small mammals, Diet: small mammals, Uruguay birds, monkeys, bats rodents, lizards, marsupials reptiles and amphibians amphibians, birds, eggs and Argentina Habitat: tropical rainforest Habitat: a wide variety Habitat: forest and savanna other snakes canopy of forests, from humid woodlands Habitat: woodlands and Range: Venezuela, Colombia, rainforests to dry savannas Range: Argentina, Bolivia tropical forest Peru, Bolivia, Brazil Range: throughout the and Paraguay Range: Colombia, Brazil, Status: not evaluated Amazon Basin Status: not evaluated Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina They have a prehensile tail to Status: not evaluated This green snake is Status: not evaluated secure themselves in a tree. These ambush hunters venomous. Their venom These boas are ambush Their sharp teeth pierce prey have good eyesight and is not fatal to humans but hunters; they will squeeze their to constrict and suffocate it. will hang from a branch can cause localized swelling prey until it suffocates, then in an “S” shape and strike and discomfort. swallow it whole. They can at prey. grow to 10 feet in length. REPTILES Plumed basilisk Basiliscus plumifrons Diet: flowers, fruit, insects, fish, small reptiles, amphibians, birds Habitat: lowland forests, often near rivers Range: Central American Status: least concern When chased by a predator, basilisk lizards can run on the surface of water for up to about 50 feet. The toes on the back feet have extra flaps of skin that spread out and add surface area, allowing the lizard to scurry across the top of the water. As their speed decreases, they will sink into the water. Once in the water, they are capable swimmers. This lizard is a member of the iguana family and has a very long tail that makes up about 75% of its entire body. Photo: Janet Utech Janet Photo: Photo: Weinstein Photo: Brett Photo: Cburnett Photo: Caiman lizard Blue spiny lizard Honduran spiny-tailed iguana Dracaena guianensis Sceloporus serrifer cyanogenys Ctenosaura palearis Diet: primarily snails, also clams Diet: invertebrates, such as insects and spiders Diet: plants, cactus, small animals Habitat: near rivers in tropical forests Habitat: holes and crevices in rocky Habitat: dry forest and thorn scrub up to Range: Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Peru outcroppings or underground almost 3,000 feet above sea level Status: not evaluated Range: Central America Range: Southeastern Guatemala Caiman lizards are semi-aquatic and will rest on Status: least concern Status: endangered These iguanas are the main species that feed tree branches above rivers. When threatened, Blue spiny lizards are diurnal, meaning they on the fruit of the Pitayo organ pipe cactus they will drop from the branch into the water are most active during the day. When they and help distribute the seeds across the forest. and swim away from danger. If threatened aren’t foraging for food, they spend much of Honduran spiny-tailed iguanas are especially further, they can deliver both a powerful bite their time sheltering from predators. They have active during the day when temperatures are from their jaws and a strong blow from their tail. large, pointy scales and blue coloring on their They have a clear third eyelid that they use like warm. Even though they have an intimidating shoulders. Males also have blue-green on their tail to defend against predators, Honduran goggles while swimming. Adults grow to lengths throats, backs and undersides. They can reach of 2-4 feet and weigh between 3-6 pounds. spiny-tailed iguanas are most likely to flee if a 15 inches in lenth. predator is nearby..