Four Javan tree frogs sitting together on a stalk in Indonesia

Out on a limb

These Javan tree frogs are small because they spend the majority of their lives perched in trees, and their weight must be fully supported by twigs and leaves. Check out the rounded ends of those froggy fingers and toes! Those disc-shaped adhesive pads are what allow them to manoeuvre about on trees. While most tree frogs (there are 800 species all over the world) are green, brown, or grey, these Javans are brightly coloured. This is so they can blend into their jungle environs and avoid the attention of predators like snakes, spiders, bats and owls.

Each of these frogs went through a complete metamorphosis, starting out as one of about 50 eggs nestled in a ‘clutch’ of foam. Tree frog mothers tend to lay their eggs on the leaves of limbs hovering over streams, ponds or lakes. When the eggs hatch, the tadpoles then drop into the water below. The tadpoles mature into frogs and end up hanging out with their frog friends on limbs like this one. Hang in there guys!