The See Through Glass Frog

Welcome to Frog of the Month: Glass Frog Edition!

August 2025

This month, we’re highlighting The Glass Frog, one of the most mystical-looking frogs. With a bright green back and a belly so transparent you can see its beating heart, this little guy is the closest thing nature has to a living science display.

Glass frogs (family Centrolenidae) are known for their translucent undersides, ghostly appearance, and surprisingly aggressive parenting. They're elegant but also look so out of this world, and that's what we love about them.

Habitat

Glass frogs live in Central and South American rainforests, particularly cloud forests at higher elevations. They thrive near fast-flowing mountain streams and spend most of their time sticking to the undersides of leaves, far above the forest floor.

They’re hard to find in the wild but not because they’re rare. They're just that good at hiding!

Features and Fun Facts

The Invisible Frog: You dont get called glass for no reason. The bellies of many glass frog species are see-through. You can literally see their heart, liver, and digestive system through their skin. It’s a strange and stunning form of camouflage that is baffling to look at.

Leaf Real Estate Agents: Males are extremely territorial when it comes to egg-laying leaves. They’ll call loudly to attract females, then guard the egg clutches like tiny green knights. They care so much about these branches that they will even fight over them like people do with Pokémon cards.

Top Dads: Unlike most frogs, which lay eggs and bounce, glass frog dads stick around to protect their offspring. They guard the eggs from wasps, snakes, fungus, and even rain. If the eggs start drying out, the male will hydrate them with his own body moisture.

Blurry on Purpose: Some species have semi-transparent legs that blur their edges. To a predator’s eyes, this makes the frog’s shape harder to detect. It's strange to show your organs and still be so hidden but its effective never the less.

Night Shift Operators: Glass frogs are nocturnal and spend their nights calling, guarding, and vibing above the water. During the day, they flatten themselves against leaves and become nearly invisible.

Conservation Status

Some glass frog species are doing okay, while others are in trouble due to deforestation, stream pollution, and climate change. Because they’re so sensitive to their environment, their presence (or absence) is a big red flag for the health of rainforest ecosystems.

As with many frogs, chytrid fungus is a looming threat, and habitat fragmentation from human development makes it harder for populations to recover.

If you’re lucky enough to see one in the wild, look, but don’t touch. It's best to let these tiny leaf ghosts do their thing.