Glass Frogs

Glass frogs are some of the most unusual frogs in the world. They live in the rainforests of Central and South America. The skin on their belly is clear, like glass. You can see their heart, stomach, and other body parts right through their skin.

See-Through Skin

Most glass frogs are green on top. Their see-through belly helps them hide on leaves. When looked at from below, they blend in with the light coming through the leaf. This clever trick helps protect them from predators. Scientists call this kind of hiding transparency camouflage.

Life in the Trees

Glass frogs are very small, usually less than two inches long. They spend most of their lives in trees near streams. Male glass frogs guard the eggs until they hatch. The tadpoles drop from the leaves into the water below. There they grow into adult frogs.

Fun Facts

• There are about 150 different kinds of glass frogs.
• Glass frogs can pull most of their blood into their liver when they sleep, making them even harder to see.
• The first glass frog was discovered in Ecuador in 1872.

Did You Know?

Some glass frogs are so clear you can count their eggs through their skin before they are laid. Scientists use this to study how frogs grow.