KINGDOM: Animalia
PHYLUM: Chordata
CLASS: Amphibia
ORDER: Anura
FAMILY: Hylidae
GENUS: Trachycephalus
SPECIES: Trachycephalus resinifictrix
Amazon Milk Frogs (Trachycephalus resinifictrix) are a species of South-American tree frog. They are one of the larger tree frog species. Amazon milk frogs live in tropical rainforest canopies of Northern South America including Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana, Southern Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru and Brazil. These frogs live in the rainforest canopy, usually near slow-moving water. Milk frogs stay in the trees, rarely descending to the forest floor.
Other common names for this species include mission golden-eyed milk frog, blue milk frog, Amazonian cave frog, and milky frog.
Our most commonly-asked question about these frogs at reptile shows is ALWAYS, “Are they poisonous?” The answer? Yes and No. When threatened, Amazon milk frogs secrete a sticky white substance through their skin. While not as poisonous as other frog toxins, it can still cause a predator to become sick. Covering its body in the milky substance also helps keep the frog hydrated. This white secretion is how the Amazon milk frog got its name. In short, they are not poisonous to humans as pets, because we are not trying to eat them. As with ANY frog or reptile, we always recommend washing hands before and after handling them.
