6, see text The Hemiphractidae are a family of frogs from South and Central America.

Previously, this group had been classified as a subfamily (Hemiphractinae) under family Hylidae.

[1] An unusual and unique adaptation in this family is the breeding behavior where the eggs are carried on the female's back; the eggs may develop into froglets on the back of the female without free-swimming tadpole stage, be released after hatching as tadpoles, or be deposited in water to complete their development there.

In some species (genus Gastrotheca and some Flectonotus), this goes as far as to enclose the eggs in a pouch until they hatch.

Males in amplexus have been observed to play an active role in placing the eggs on the back or in the pouch of the female.