Tiger Leg Monkey Tree Frog – (Pithecopus hypochondrialis)

This species is currently recognized as Pithecopus hypochondrialis. Pithecopus comes from the Greek word pithekodes, which means ape-like. Previously classified as Phyllomedusa, the Waxy Monkey Tree Frogs are distinguished by wax-secreting glands on their back elbows and rump. This wax is secreted and then smeared all over the body, trapping moisture and helping tree frogs to thrive in drier environments than other amphibians. Pithecopus hypochondrialis is generally known in the United States as the Tiger Leg Monkey Frog because to the prominent orange and black banding on its flanks. Because of this pigmentation, the frog is sometimes known as the “Barred Tree Frog”. The name’monkey frog’ stems from the frog’s habit to walk rather than jump, which closely The moniker ‘monkey frog’ comes from this frog’s tendency to walk instead of jump, which closely resembles a monkey.