Female foam-nesting tree frogs have earned the reputation as some of the most promiscuous females in the vertebrate world. As mating season approaches, they capture the attention of several males; not just one.
Females begin by building foamy nests at the ends of tree branches over open bodies of water, and when males begin to take notice, several of them quickly approach the female to begin copulating.
After as many as 20 males join the party, they too begin adding to the foamy nest to make it bigger. The female's eggs become fertilized inside the foamy nest, and furthermore, it serves as an extra layer of protection from the elements.
Experts say the high number of males increases genetic diversity among the offspring, which increases their odds of survival. But it doesn't come without its risks.
From time to time, the female becomes injured from all the action, or worse, the males become jealous of one another and resort to violent behavior. Fortunately, most of these mating events turn out peaceful rather than violent.
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JAN 18, 2018