Hobbies And Interests
Identification
As the name suggests, a tomato frog is bright red with some variations of orange or brown-orange, as well as green eyes. The females are naturally larger than the males, approximately 4 inches in length compared to a male's much smaller 2.5-inch body length.
Habitat
Tomato frogs thrive in the warm and moist regions within Madagascar. They typically prefer a temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Tomato frogs favor hiding spots near calm waters, such as under a rock or behind plant life. Since their diet is mainly adult and larvae insects, they lie in wait for prey near the water's edge. Insects from both the water and on the ground are favorite food choices. Tomato frogs are not particularly good swimmers, so most of their hunting is performed outside of the water.
Warning Color
The tomato frog's bright color warns predators to stay away. A predator, such as a snake, that dares to swallow the frog will be greeted by a toxic white fluid secreted from the frog's skin. The fluid typically enters the eyes and mouth of the predator as it attacks the frog. As a result, the fluid congeals within the predator's orifices, releasing the frog from its grasp. The eyes will be blinded and the mouth will be almost completely clogged for many days until the fluid finally degrades.
Reproduction
Tomato frogs prefer the cooler months for reproduction. The female tomato frog lays between 1,000 and 1,500 eggs along the water's surface. These eggs hatch after only 36 hours of incubation, producing a 0.25-inch-long tadpole. The tadpoles remain in the water as filter-feeders, straining nutrients from the water's composition, until they become adults within a year from birth.