Milk frog

Breeding takes place during the rainy season, when water collects in cavities in plants and trees. At that time, males call to attract females to these small natural pools, which are sometimes located several metres above the ground.

During mating, the female lays 6 to 15 eggs, which are immediately fertilized by the male. Incubation lasts 8 to 14 days, depending on the temperature of the environment.

When they hatch, the tadpoles remain confined to the pool formed by the cavity, where food is very limited. To survive, they feed on other eggs from their own clutch or from those of other tree frogs. This opportunistic behaviour, known as oophagy, is essential to their growth.

The larval stage lasts about 3 to 5 weeks, until metamorphosis. The young frogs remain in the cavity for a few more days while their tails are being absorbed. They then leave this microhabitat and become independent.