This biodiversity hotspot, dubbed the Cusuco National Park, was established in 1987. Other than providing clean air and water supply for San Pedro Sula, the second largest city in Honduras, this park also hosts over 260 species of birds, gem beetles, and various cat species such as the jaguar, margay, and ocelot.
Hidden behind the leaves and under the trees, however, are the unsung heroes of the rainforest. Frogs, despite their global distribution, are often overlooked by many. These hoppy critters feed on insects, keeping mosquito population in check and preventing mosquito-borne diseases from spreading. Some species also browse on algae, ensuring water stays clean and safe for human consumption.
Not only do they play crucial roles in our wellness, each one of the frog species from Cusuco National Park has its own quirks. The Cusuco spike-thumb frog (Plectrohyla dasypus), for example, is an arboreal species which mainly lives up in the trees — but will occasionally free-dive and burrow under the ground when threatened. This species is identifiable by its lustrous bronze body, with black spots bordered by striking lime-green rings.
Its close relative, the exquisite spike-thumb frog (Plectrohyla exquisita), is more modest in appearance. This species’ coloration ranges from creamy brown to leafy green, with black pupils on round, opaque white eyes which look like veiny glass marbles. Despite its formal recognition in 1998, researchers specializing in the area have never heard the frog croak.
frog tadpoles
