Sticky Fingers

The toe pads of most tree frogs are covered with tubular cells standing on end. These tiny bristles compress and bend under pressure, allowing the toe pad to "form-fit" over irregular surfaces. Mucus on the tips of the bristles allows them to stick to almost anything. Most tree frogs can climb straight up trees, cling to the undersides of leaves, or hang preposterously from a branch by one toe.

Mexican dumpy frogs are from semiarid subtropical lowland forests in Mexico. They spend almost their entire lives off the ground, living in tree canopies, on branches and leaves. They are excellent climbers.

Mexican Dumpy Frog

Pachymedusa dacnicolor

Class: Amphibia
Family: Hylidae
Size: Up to 4 inches
Food: Insects
Range: Pacific coast of Mexico
Habitat: Semiarid subtropical lowland forests
Life Cycle: These frogs mate in bushes and trees surrounding a pond. Egg masses are laid on foliage above water and the tadpoles fall into the water after hatching.