All insects should be gut loaded for at least 24-48 hours prior to being fed to your frog (for more information, see our “You Are What You Eat” caresheet). They will eagerly accept crickets, earth worms, wax worms, mealworms, silkworms, slugs, moths, and cockroaches. White’s tree frogs typically display a tremendous appetite. Be sure to use chlorine- and chloramines-free water such as bottled spring water, charcoal-filtered tap water, or tap water that has been aerated for at least 48 hours. A few warm days without a water dish can lead to a crispy, dried up frog, and frequent soaks in soiled water can result in nasty infections, which frogs are doubly susceptible to due to the permeability of their skin. Substrate should be damp enough to clump together when squeezed into a handful, but not so wet that water drips out when doing so.Ī water bowl that is always available and cleaned daily is of utmost importance to this species. White’s tree frogs do not tolerate soggy, stagnant conditions, so make certain that the cage is not sprayed too heavily and that adequate ventilation is provided. A light misting every few days can help ensure that there is always a humid area for the frog to go to. Humidity: Humidity levels can range from 30%-70% in different areas of the cage. A 2.0 UVB bulb should also be provided during the daytime to aid in normal calcium metabolism. Plastic dial thermometers, or any thermometer with a fixed placement, are often unreliable and do not adequately gauge thermal gradients inside entire enclosures. It is important to purchase a temperature gun, or digital thermometers that possess probes, for accurate temperature readings. Frogs should never come into direct contact with any heating element. Blue or red bulbs should be turned off at night to provide true darkness for these nocturnal creatures – despite what packaging may claim, infrared light is easily perceived by frogs and can be harmful to their natural behavior over time. A ceramic heat emitter can be positioned above the cage at all times to provide heat support. A 12 hour day/12 hour night cycle should be followed. At night, the temperature can safely drop 10 degrees. The ideal temperature during the day should range between 75F-85F, with a basking area of no more than 90F. Heating: White’s tree frogs are tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, making them an excellent pet frog for beginners. Arboreal hides can be as simple as a piece of cork bark leaned up against a wall, a leaf draped over a perch, or a crevice made between any of the cage ornaments. If your frog is frequently hiding on the ground, then the hides you have provided higher up need to be reconstructed to better suit your frog’s sense of security. Hiding places should be constructed higher up in the cage as opposed to ground level, to prevent prolonged contact with any potential fungi or bacteria present in the bedding. Driftwood, cork bark, and bamboo poles can be positioned at angles to allow the frog utilization of all cage space. White’s tree frogs are arboreal, and should be provided with multiple perches and hiding places high up in the cage’s “canopy”. Gravel, sand, small pieces of bark and Repti Carpet should be avoided, because they can either be swallowed or irritate the frog’s skin. Any bedding should be cleaned regularly to prevent buildup of mold. There are a number of substrate options available for frogs, such as coconut husk fiber (Bed-A-Beast, Eco-Earth, etc), sphagnum moss, or moist paper towels. The four main components of the cage setup are substrate, perches, hiding areas, and a water dish. White’s tree frogs love to climb, so vertical space is better than horizontal space. Multiple adults will need at least a 30 gallon glass tank. Housing: A single adult White’s tree frog can live in a 10 gallon glass tank or larger. Due to its physical and behavioral traits, the White’s tree frog has become one of the most recognizable frogs, and is a popular exotic pet throughout the world. Some specimens even exhibit small white dots along their back and head. White’s tree frogs can range from blue to green to brown in color, and can change their hue depending on temperature, humidity, environmental surroundings, or level of excitement. The average lifespan of this frog in captivity is approximately 16 years. Larger than most Australian frogs, the White’s tree frog can grow to 4 inches in length. Even wild White’s tree frogs are docile, and often live near human dwellings, eating insects drawn by the light. The White’s tree frog inherited its name from naturalist John White, who first described this species in 1790. ![]() The White’s tree frog ( Litoria caerulea), or dumpy tree frog, is native to Australia and New Guinea.
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