Exhibits a robust body structure and highly specialized glandular skin that distinguishes it within its family. Adult males reach sizes of 70 to 90 mm, while the larger females range from 80 to 114 mm in snout-vent length. The dorsal coloration is remarkably polymorphic, varying from light brown, grayish-tan to olive-green, often marked with large, irregular dark brown or black patches outlined in darker shades. A key diagnostic feature is the presence of numerous prominent warts and specialized skin glands that secrete a thick, sticky, and highly irritating milky fluid when the frog is stressed, acting as an effective chemical defense against predators. The eyes are large and bulbous, featuring a striking golden or bronze iris decorated with fine dark reticulations. Breeding males possess paired, lateral vocal sacs that inflate like balloons behind the jaw angles during calling.

Geographical distribution: Occurs widely across the Neotropics, presenting an extensive latitudinal range. Its presence is documented from the lowlands of eastern and western Mexico, extending continuously through Central America down into South America. Within the South American continent, it is found in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, the Guianas, Brazil, Paraguay, and reaches its southernmost distribution limit in northern Argentina. This taxon mostly inhabits altitudes ranging from sea level up to approximately 1500 meters above sea level, showing remarkable ecological plasticity across various geographic regions.

Habitat: Inhabits a diverse array of ecosystems, showing a strong preference for tropical humid forests, dry deciduous forests, shrubby savannas (such as the Cerrado and Chaco), and disturbed secondary forests. Being primarily arboreal, it is frequently found high in the forest canopy, utilizing tree hollows, the leaf axils of bromeliads, and other epiphytes as daily shelters to prevent desiccation. It is also commonly found in human-modified environments, including agricultural plantations, suburban gardens, and clinging to concrete walls near artificial light sources where prey is abundant.

Feeding: Maintains an opportunistic, generalist carnivorous diet, preying on a wide variety of terrestrial and flying invertebrates. Common prey items include various insect orders, particularly coleopterans (beetles), orthopterans (crickets and grasshoppers), lepidopterans (moths and butterflies), hymenopterans (ants and wasps), and a broad range of arachnids. Prey capture is executed via a rapid projection of its sticky tongue or through direct lunging, using its strong jaws to overpower prey that is often quite large relative to its head size.

Behavior: Displays strictly nocturnal habits, spending daylight hours hidden in damp microhabitats to minimize cutaneous water loss. During prolonged dry seasons, it enters a state of estivation, retreating deep into tree hollows where it significantly lowers its metabolic rate and seals the cavity using its body or dried mucus secretions. Males are highly territorial during the breeding season, producing an exceptionally loud, guttural, rhythmic rattle that can be heard over long distances, utilizing their dual vocal sacs to amplify the sound from the canopy or near water bodies.

Reproduction: Operates as an explosive breeder, with reproductive activity triggered immediately by the onset of heavy rains during the wet season. Adults migrate in massive numbers from the canopy to temporary water bodies, such as ephemeral ponds, flooded pastures, or roadside ditches. Following intense calling choruses, axillary amplexus occurs. The female deposits a floating gelatinous film containing between 2000 and 3000 eggs on the water surface. Embryonic and larval development is extremely rapid; tadpoles hatch within hours and complete metamorphosis quickly to survive before the temporary pools dry up, feeding on detritus and microalgae.

Conservation status: Categorized globally as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. This designation is justified by its vast geographical range, tolerance to moderate habitat disturbance, and stable, large populations. At a local level, it faces no immediate critical threats, though intensive deforestation and chemical pollution of breeding pools by agricultural pesticides represent localized threats that could impact specific regional populations.