Want a frog that will be docile and tolerate handling? White’s tree frogs are that and more.
- Size: Approximately four to five inches long when fully grown.
- Color: Ranges from green to blue-green to aqua.
- Skin: These frogs have a waxy coating on their skin that helps them retain moisture. It also allows them to tolerate arid conditions and careful handling.
- Lifespan: White’s tree frogs are long lived — life spans as long as twenty years have been reported, though fifteen years is more typical.
Also known as the dumpy tree frog, White’s tree frogs are native to Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea. They are less active than some other frogs, but are docile and tame. You can handle these frogs — as long as you wash your hands carefully beforehand. Amphibians absorb chemicals through their very sensitive skin, so any oils, salts, or soap residue on your skin can be harmful.
White’s tree frogs are nocturnal, so expect them to be more active during the night. If you are planning to have more than one frog, make sure they are of approximately the same size; otherwise, larger frogs will eat smaller ones.
House your White’s tree frog in a tank that is twenty-five gallons or larger. Choose an arboreal type (taller than wide) rather than an aquarium type. Large bark, large gravel, or soil can be used to make the substrate of your tank; cover the substrate with moss to help retain moisture. If you want to go the simplest and easiest route, you can line the tank with paper or paper towels to make cleaning easy.
Provide lots of branches, bark, and foliage for climbing — in the wild, these frogs spend most of their time in trees. If you use live plants, be sure they are free from fertilizer or pesticide residue. Whether you use live or silk, make sure your plants and branches are sturdy enough to support these large frogs. Your frog will seek dim, secluded areas for sleeping during the day, so make sure he’s got some to choose from.
Make sure your tank has a tight fitting lid — White’s tree frogs have foot pads that will let them scale the side of your aquarium and escape.
White’s tree frogs don’t have any special lighting requirements, though a basking light or heater will help you allow for a temperature gradient. You should try to provide a range between 80 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and between 72 and 78 degrees during the night. Keep the humidity at between fifty and sixty percent; mist the tank daily with dechlorinated or bottled water. Your frog will also want a dish of water to soak in.
You can feed mostly crickets to your White’s tree frog; other foods include moths, beetles, cockroaches, grasshoppers, and earthworms. A fully grown White’s tree frog may even eat pinkie mice! These frogs do tend to gain weight very easily, so do not overfeed your pet.