A beautifully patterned, elusive amphibian native to Ecuador and Colombia’s cloud forests and tropical lowlands, particularly near the Andean slopes. Named after the Imbabura Province in northern Ecuador, this tree frog is a member of the genus Boana — the same group known for “gladiator frogs” — and it lives high among moist leaves, branches, and bromeliads in dense forest habitats where rain and mist are frequent visitors.

One of the most striking things about the Imbabura tree frog is its appearance. It’s known for its vivid green or yellow-green coloration, often speckled or streaked with irregular brown, black, or reddish markings, which help it blend into mossy and leafy environments. The skin on its back has a slightly grainy texture and large toe pads that make it a skilled climber. Like other Boana frogs, it has long limbs, perfect for leaping through the canopy, and big, dark eyes adapted for life at night.

The Imbabura tree frog is nocturnal, emerging at dusk to feed and call. Males produce loud, distinctive calls during the rainy season, usually from perched positions above water — the sound acting as both a mating call and a territorial warning to other males. Their diet consists mainly of small insects and other invertebrates, which they catch with quick flicks of their tongue while navigating the branches and foliage. During the day, they hide among leaves or in the axils of bromeliads to avoid predators and conserve moisture.

While they spend most of their lives in trees, these frogs still rely on water sources for breeding. Like many other tree frogs, they lay eggs on vegetation hanging above water, so when the tadpoles hatch, they drop directly into the water below — a clever strategy to keep the eggs safe from aquatic predators.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Colombia

2021

Ecuador

2021