Fleischmann's Glass Frog (Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni) in the wild — Catch'Um species field guide

Fleischmann's Glass Frog (Hyalinobatrachium fleischmanni) wildlife photograph

Overview

Fleischmann's glass frog is a small Central American frog with translucent ventral skin that can reveal organs and a beating heart. Males call from leaves above streams and guard egg clutches until tadpoles drop into the water.

For Costa Rica collectors, a glass frog on a wet leaf is a classic cloud-forest find — delicate, luminous, and perfectly streamside.

Scientific nameHyalinobatrachium fleischmanni
Length2–3 cm
WeightAround 1–2 g
LifespanAround 5–8 years in the wild
DietSmall insects and other…
ConservationLeast Concern
RegionCloud Forest Streams

Habitat

Cloud forest
Streamside vegetation
Humid rainforest

Humid lowland and montane rainforest near streams from Mexico through Central America, especially on vegetation overhanging flowing water where eggs are laid.

Countries found

Fleischmann's Glass Frog in Costa Rica

Field notes

Field scale for the Fleischmann's Glass Frog: length around 2-3 cm; weight Around 1-2 g. Typical lifespan: Around 5-8 years in the wild.

When you are scanning habitat, prioritise cloud forest, streamside vegetation, and humid rainforest. Those settings are where a clean look and a usable photo are most likely.

Quick ID anchor: Bright green dorsum, large forward-facing eyes, and translucent belly showing white bones and organs. Confirm with behaviour and habitat before you log the discovery.

Where to see one

Costa Rica
In Costa Rica, strong options include Monteverde Cloud Forest and Corcovado National Park. Misty canopy bridges and moss-draped trees, with sloths, quetzals, and hummingbirds in cool highland forest.
Open the Costa Rica spotting guide for every park note tied to the fleischmann's glass frog.
Spotting guide for Fleischmann's Glass Frog in Costa Rica

Diet

Small insects and other arthropods gleaned from leaves at night.

Sit-and-wait hunters on streamside vegetation.

Behaviour

Males call from leaves above water; defend and hydrate egg masses.

Active after dusk in humid weather; hide against green leaves by day.

How to identify

Bright green dorsum, large forward-facing eyes, and translucent belly showing white bones and organs.

Slender limbs with adhesive toe pads; yellow spots may fleck the back.

Interesting facts

01
Ventral skin is translucent enough to show internal organs.
02
Males often guard egg clutches on leaf undersides.
03
Tadpoles drop into streams when they hatch.
04
Mostly nocturnal; hunt small insects on wet foliage.
05
Dorsal colour is lime green for leaf camouflage.
06
Belong to the family Centrolenidae — the glass frogs.

Conservation status

LC: Least Concern

Fleischmann's glass frogs are Least Concern but depend on clean forest streams. Deforestation, water pollution, and disease can hit local populations hard.

Sources: IUCN Red List