Species Spotlight: Masked Tree Frog

Introduction of the Species

The Masked Tree Frog may not be as famous as the Red-eyed Tree Frog, but it is every bit as worth your attention. It has a beautiful face pattern, a strong amphibian look, and the kind of detail that rewards close photography.

Physical Description

This relatively large tree frog is known for the pale upper lip and dark mask-like stripe along the head, which gives it a bold, graphic appearance. It has the kind of face that macro photographers appreciate immediately.

Native Habitat

It occurs in humid forested habitats and areas associated with tropical moisture and standing water. In Costa Rica it is part of the broader cast of amphibian subjects that make night photography so addictive.

Where They Are Found in Central and South America

The Masked Tree Frog is found in Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Honduras, Colombia, and Ecuador.

Food and Eating Habits

Like many tree frogs, it feeds on insects and other small invertebrates, usually at night when conditions are active and humid.

Join Us in Costa Rica

One of the best things about Costa Rica is that the wildlife does not go quiet after sunset. It gets interesting in a different way. On our Costa Rica photo workshop, frogs like the Masked Tree Frog give photographers a chance to work on close-focus technique, composition, lighting, and storytelling in the rainforest after dark.