About the Laughing Treefrog Drawing
I have never seen a Laughing Treefrog alive, but I hope to travel to Peru and perhaps encounter one in the wild. The reference photograph for this drawing was provided by my friend W. W. Lamar, whose extensive field experience in tropical America has introduced me to many remarkable species through his photography.
Laughing Treefrogs are large, nocturnal, arboreal frogs found across much of northern South America, including the Amazon Basin. Their broad heads, powerful limbs, and greatly expanded toe pads suit a life spent climbing through tropical vegetation. One of their most striking features is the eye, with its intricate pattern of dark reticulations against a lighter iris.
In Jungle Joker, I was especially drawn to that remarkable eye and the enormous adhesive toe pads wrapped around the branch. The frog’s broad head, banded limbs, textured skin, and almost comical expression give it a distinct personality. The title plays on the Laughing Treefrog name while reflecting the slightly mischievous appearance of the animal.
Jungle Joker is a graphite wildlife drawing of a Laughing Treefrog (Osteocephalus taurinus) by Michael E. Dorcas for Tantilla Art. Reference photograph courtesy of W. W. Lamar.