There were rumors circulating that the world’s largest tree frog was recently discovered in the Highlands of Costa Rica. Measuring over 18 inches long and tipping the scales at over 2 pounds, this individual was identified by a foremost biologist as an aberration of the red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas) which inhabit the rainforests of Central America. The giant tree frog was sighted living in the bromeliad garden at Hotel Bougainvillea, located in the suburbs of San Jose, Costa Rica’s Capital City. Normally individuals of this species of tree frogs are no more than 2 inches long.

A nocturnal species, these tree frogs are characterized by large bulging eyes that enable them to see in the dark. As with all tree frogs, sticky pads on their toes help these small creatures hang onto slippery leaves and climb trees. During the day, they sleep on bright green leaves which afford them a certain degree of camouflage from potential predators. At night, the red-eyed tree frogs are prolific hunters of the rainforest where they feast on variety of small insects- grasshoppers, flies and moths are their favorite foods. I can imagine that this giant individual at the Bougainvillea gardens has a voracious appetite.

Intrigued by this new discovery, I stayed at Hotel Bougainvillea for 3 nights on my most recent visit to Costa Rica, hoping to catch a glimpse of this giant frog. It wasn’t until my last day there that I happened to stumble upon ‘The Giant’ while strolling through the hotel’s magnificent tropical gardens. The frog was lying quietly among the bromeliads getting ready for his daytime siesta. I affectionately named the frog, Federico as I took several pictures of him before leaving San Jose.

P.S. If you go inside the gift shop at Hotel Bougainvillea, you will find some of Federico’s cousins for sale. They make good pets and are very cuddly!