Tropical Rain Forest welcomes new arrivals
Two new species have recently been added to the Tropical Rain Forest exhibit. The newcomers from Southeast Asia are experts at camouflage.
Serrate-legged small treefrogs (Kurixalus odontotarsus) are really small: their males reach a maximum length of 32 mm, females, of 43 mm. Their protective brown and green coloration and numerous warts on the skin help them blend in with surrounding plants. These treefrogs live in subtropical and tropical moist forests, freshwater marshes, canals and ditches of South China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
Ramulus nematodes, the great thin stick insect from Thailand, can compete for the title of “The master of disguise”. In spite of a rather large size (the females of this species grow up to 14-16 cm), its body is very thin, fragile and looks just like a twig. Its graceful form is reflected in its name: Ramulus nematodes means “a small thread-like branch” in Latin. The adult males have an interesting coloration: their body is blue with a metallic sheen and their limbs are red and brown.
Are you hawk-eyed? Try the sharpness of your vision and find our new residents in the Tropical Rain Forest exhibit. It is open daily except Monday from 10 to 8 o’clock.
