Costa Rica's 'Coffee Frog': New Tiny Tree Frog Species Discovered

Researchers in Costa Rica and Argentina have identified a new species of tree frog, a tiny nocturnal amphibian found in the country's central Pacific region. Nicknamed the "coffee frog" for its preferred habitat among coffee bushes, the species has been given the scientific name Isthmohyla nacientes.

Measuring no more than 4 centimeters, the frog is characterized by its dark green spots and the male's distinct, high-pitched calls during mating season. These calls can be heard at night as the frogs are most active in the dark. They typically inhabit the moist, shaded areas within plantations, feeding on small insects rather than coffee fruits.

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This is a new species of tree frog, endemic to Costa Rica.

However, the coffee frog faces significant threats from the widespread use of pesticides in its environment. According to researcher Wagner Chaves-Acuna, these agricultural chemicals can be carried by the wind, seep into the soil, and contaminate the water systems crucial for the tadpoles' development. The discovery highlights the unique biodiversity of Costa Rica's coffee-growing regions but also underscores the environmental challenges these delicate species face.

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They are most active at night, when you can hear them singing in the coffee bushes.