AnimaliaHighest rank in taxonomy. Groups all life into domains: Animalia, Plantae, Fungi, etc.IUCN LCInternational Union for Conservation of Nature — the world authority on species extinction risk, using standardized criteria. — Least Concern — widespread and abundant; not at immediate risk of extinction.In ProgressCurrent stage of this record in the editorial review workflow. Recent Sighting
Pristimantis cerasinus
Cherry Rain Frog
(Cope, 1875)
Detailed Texts Multi-lang
A small, highly nocturnal arboreal frog distinguished by its captivating and distinctive reddish, pinkish-copper, or cherry-tinted coloration over parts of its thighs and flanks, which contrasts beautifully with a variable tan to brown dorsal ground color. The skin on the back can be smooth to finely tuberculate, often presenting dark chevrons. It possesses relatively large, dark reddish-bronze eyes with horizontal pupils and well-developed digital pads for climbing.
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Last modified by
Julia Trouin
TaxonomyBiological classification ranks placing this species within the tree of life, from Kingdom down to Genus.
PhylumRank below Kingdom. Groups organisms sharing a fundamental body plan (e.g., Chordata = vertebrates and some invertebrates).Chordata
ClassRank below Phylum. Subdivides by structural traits (e.g., Mammalia, Aves, Reptilia, Insecta).Amphibia
OrderRank below Class. Groups related families sharing common ancestry (e.g., Carnivora, Primates).Anura
FamilyRank below Order. Groups closely related genera (e.g., Felidae = cats, Canidae = dogs).Strabomantidae
GenusRank just above Species. The first word in the two-part binomial scientific name.Pristimantis
Taxonomic AuthorityThe scientist who first formally described and published this species, followed by the year of publication.(Cope, 1875)
Record Completeness
96%Coming soon
Ecology & StatusHow this species lives: habitat preferences, diet, behavior, population status, and role in its ecosystem.
OriginWhether the species is native (evolved here), endemic (found only here), or introduced by human activity.
Native
Population TrendDirection of change in population size over time: increasing, stable, decreasing, or unknown.
Unknown
Breeding SeasonTime of year when this species typically reproduces or flowers.
Wet Season
Trophic RolePosition in the food chain: producer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, decomposer, or parasite.
Carnivore
Recent SightingsWhether this species has been observed in the wild in Costa Rica within recent years.
Yes
Habitat SummaryOverview of the specific ecosystems and environments where this species is found in Costa Rica. Multi-lang
Inhabits humid lowland and premontane wet forests, generally found at elevations from near sea level up to around 1,300 meters. This specialized amphibian requires primary forests or very mature, undisturbed secondary cloud woodlands, restricting its activities to lower tree trunks, climbing vines, understory shrubs, and arboreal epiphytes.BehaviourDaily activity patterns, movement, territory use, foraging style, and seasonal behavioral changes. Multi-lang
Strictly active at night. During daylight hours, it conceals itself within arboreal leaf axils, bromeliads, or deep moss cushions. Once night falls, individuals climb to active foraging perches on low vegetation, typically between 0.5 and 2 meters above the ground.Social ActivitySocial structure: whether the species is solitary, paired, or colonial; hierarchy and communication. Multi-lang
Solitary behavior dominates. Intraspecific communication is confined to rainy periods when adult males produce repetitive, sharp, high-pitched vocal clicks from hidden perches to establish territorial spacing and attract potential mates.Feeding GuildWhat the species eats, how it forages or hunts, and its role as a consumer in the food web. Multi-lang
Arboreal nocturnal insectivore and small arthropod predator.Trophic Chain DetailsSpecific interactions in local food webs: prey species, predators, competitors, and scavengers. Multi-lang
Operates as a nocturnal insectivore, preying upon a variety of small forest invertebrates including small beetles, orthopterans, spiders, and ants. It serves as prey for larger nocturnal predators such as tree snakes, bats, and large arachnids.Reproductive BehaviourMating strategies, courtship displays, nesting or spawning behavior, and parental care. Multi-lang
Reproduction takes place entirely out of water through direct development. Courtship happens during wet seasons on elevated foliage, where the female deposits a small clutch of large, yolky, unpigmented eggs in damp micro-cavities or leaf axils, guarding them occasionally.Physical Measures
Length (cm)
2.2 - 3.8 cm
Weight (Grams)
1.5 g - 4.5 g
Offspring per cycleTypical number of young (live births, eggs, or seeds) produced by one adult in a single reproductive event or breeding season.14 - 30
Sexual DimorphismObservable physical differences between males and females of the same species (e.g., size, coloration, features).Yes
Lifespan
Sexual MaturityAge at which the individual becomes capable of reproducing for the first time.
9 - 14 Months
Gestation / IncubationDuration from fertilization to birth (mammals) or to hatching (egg-laying species).
32 - 48
Lifespan EstimatedExpected duration of life from birth to natural death under wild conditions.
Males2 - 5 Years
Females2 - 6 Years
Sexual DimorphismPhysical differences in size, coloration, or morphology between males and females of this species.
Males Multi-lang
Males are smaller and more slender, typically reaching adult lengths of 2.2 to 2.6 cm. They possess a subgular vocal sac used to vocalize during the breeding seasons.
Females Multi-lang
Females are significantly larger and stouter, measuring up to 3.8 cm in length. They lack vocal sacs and show a noticeably more robust abdomen when carrying mature eggs.
Evolutionary AdaptationsInherited traits and behaviors that improve the species' survival and reproduction in its specific environment. Multi-lang
Equipped with specialized expanded digital discs on both fingers and toes that generate powerful capillary adhesion, facilitating seamless running and leaping maneuvers across vertical and upside-down tropical leaves.
The flashy reddish or cherry hues on the hidden surfaces of the thighs can act as flash coloration, momentarily confusing visual predators when the frog leaps to escape.
Main ThreatsDocumented pressures reducing the population: habitat loss, hunting, disease, climate change, and invasive species. Multi-lang
Severe habitat degradation and loss of continuous canopy cover driven by commercial logging, infrastructure development, and expanding agricultural fields.
Extreme sensitivity to microclimatic drying of the forest understory caused by climate change, along with potential vulnerability to chytrid fungus outbreaks.
Interesting FactsSurprising or notable facts that highlight what makes this species unique or ecologically important. Multi-lang
This species undergoes complete direct development within the egg casing; it completely bypasses the tadpole stage, and tiny froglets hatch directly from terrestrial clutches laid in humid vegetation cavities.