Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
If you build it, they will call! đŁď¸đ¸
When coronated tree frogs are ready to mate, the male will locate a water filled tree cavity and begin calling to nearby females. If the female chooses him, she will lay her eggs in the pool. As Smithsonian scientists prepared to release frogs bred under human care to the wild, the team wondered if they could improve the likelihood of the frogs breeding after release. They built artificial tree holes made of different materials to test which, if any, the frogs preferred.
Once released, the frogs began exploring their new homes immediately and soon were calling to their neighbors. Knowing what types of tree holes the frogs prefer makes it possible for scientists to help the frogs acclimate to the wild. Researchers will decide if installing more artificial breeding sites could help bolster wild populations. This research also tells the team what kind of tree holes should be built when breeding the frogs under human care.
The Tropical Amphibian Research Initiative is supported by the Bezos Earth fund and is a collaboration between the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project, Amphibian Survival Alliance, Arca Sapos. Centro Jambatu, Parque Explora, Proyecto Rana Arlequin, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
If you build it, they will call! đŁď¸đ¸
When coronated tree frogs are ready to mate, the male will locate a water filled tree cavity and begin calling to nearby females. If the female chooses him, she will lay her eggs in the pool. As Smithsonian scientists prepared to release frogs bred under human care to the wild, the team wondered if they could improve the likelihood of the frogs breeding after release. They built artificial tree holes made of different materials to test which, if any, the frogs preferred.
Once released, the frogs began exploring their new homes immediately and soon were calling to their neighbors. Knowing what types of tree holes the frogs prefer makes it possible for scientists to help the frogs acclimate to the wild. Researchers will decide if installing more artificial breeding sites could help bolster wild populations. This research also tells the team what kind of tree holes should be built when breeding the frogs under human care.
The Tropical Amphibian Research Initiative is supported by the Bezos Earth fund and is a collaboration between the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project, Amphibian Survival Alliance, Arca Sapos. Centro Jambatu, Parque Explora, Proyecto Rana Arlequin, Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
