White’s Tree Frogs is a very popular species of frogs from Australia.
They’re some of the most desirable pets frogs because they blend the attraction of an exotic pet with the simplicity of its requirements.
White’s Tree Frogs are docile and have a sweet temperament. They also have a more tranquil environment than other species of pet like their cousins the Pixie as well as Pacman Frogs. Due to their calm nature, they are able to keep in smaller groups and they enjoy being handled.
Are you interested in this cute amphibian?
Read on to find out everything you must know about their husbandry and habitat setup as well as their diet and further…
The White’s Tree Frog Overview
In contrast to other tree frogs White’s tree frog is unique in its horizontal pupils
The White’s Tree Frog ( Ranoidea caerulea) is native to the tropical rainforests in New Guinea and north-western Australia.
It was named in honor of it’s doctor John White who first discovered them in 1790.
They are sometimes referred to as dumpy Frogs due to their chubby appearance. Adults have a fat hairline that develops at the upper part of their heads.
Since its discovery, this species has travelled the globe.
The White’s Tree Frogs are extremely adaptable and thrive in various environments.
A few wild species are found in urban zones. They live within close proximity to people and, during droughts, be found in kitchens and bathrooms. Some species go into an indefinite period of dormancy in the dry season.
In captivity, these frogs do not require particularly high temperatures or high humidity.
It is also possible for them live in peace with other family ( more on this later).
White’s Tree Frogs are adored by their gentle nature and adorable faces. They also exhibit a variety of interesting actions and frequently croak, or shout.
Species Appearance
Unlike other tree frogs, White’s tree frogs have unusual horizontal pupils.
White’s Tree Frogs have huge finger and toe pads, with webbed feet as well as a round belly. Adults are characterized by a distinct fat-filled growth on sides and the top of their heads.
They are also covered in a waxy layer on their skin which assists them to retain water during dry seasons. Their skin is an antifungal and antibacterial property. It assists in protecting their skin from fungal infections which could kill the majority of amphibians.
White’s Tree Frogs vary in hue between vibrant green, to mild blue. The hue varies from person to individual, however they are able to change their hue based on their activity level as well as temperature and environmental. The color of your frog could change during the entire season.
In the evening, all people change color, from green to gray.
The majority of species have gold or white speckles or spots behind the arms on the front, and white chins as well as underbelly.
Captive breeding also results in a variety of varieties. Most popular is the snowflake that features huge white spots across its back and sides.
Size
The frogs are medium-sized, and have slight differences in size between females and males.
Females tend to grow slightly bigger than males and average 4 inches of length. Males tend to stop growing after three inches. Adults who are fully grown weigh between 2.5 to 3.5 grams.
Froglets are just one inch long , and they can grow to adult size in less than two years.
White’s Tree Frog Caring
White’s Tree Frog Diet
White’s Tree Frogs are avid predators of frogs, spiders moths, cockroaches, as well as small invertebrae , in their natural environment of Australia. They don’t ambush prey however, instead they hunt and grab insects with their mouths or arms.
This species thrives on an diet consisting of crickets and mealworms as well as dubia cockroaches.. It is possible to provide occasionally waxworms or the hornworm.
The diet of a pet Tree Frog will be contingent on the size of their body:
- Small Froglets ( up to 1.5 inches) are recommended to feed the smallest crickets they will eat within 30 minutes.
- Juvenile frogs must be fed two medium crickets two times per week.
- Adults may have up to four large crickets every week. The frequency can be increased by a mouse that is pink once every month.
Be sure that the foods you feed to your pet do not exceed the distance between the eyes of your frog. This can help keep them from choke. It is also necessary to sprinkle their food with vitamin D3 powder every week. Insufficient calcium could cause metabolic bone disease.
Frogs take in water through their skins, therefore it is recommended to lightly mist them each evening. This will not only keep your frog well-hydrated, but it can also increase the humidity of your tank.
Make sure you provide them with a an enormous shallow bowl of clean water , too.
Check that the water in the bowl and in the mister is free of chlorine, metals or any other chemicals. Amphibians are extremely sensitive to small amounts of pollutants.
White’s Tree Frog’s Lifespan
The Tree Frogs are a tough species that can can live from 15 and twenty years. The oldest record is for one who lived for for 23 years the wild in.
There are numerous indicators keepers should be looking for in order to be sure that the frog is healthy
- Vocalization and active behavior.
- Jawline and mouth are even.
- The prey has a strong feeding response.
- Clear skin.
White’s Tree Frogs are susceptible to developing health issues in the wild. In-house parasites, obesity, and injuries are not uncommon.
Internal parasites (e.g. flatworms and amoebas) are typically present in frogs caught wild. Parasitic infections lead to weight loss and watery or discolored the feces. The parasites can be eliminated entirely by buying an frog that is captive-bred and fed commercial insects.
Obesity is an issue that is easily diagnosed within the White’s Tree Frogs.
Healthy people have a thick line of skin that runs between their eyes and their ears. Obese frogs are covered in fat that conceal their eyes. Frogs that are healthy have thin hands and fat ones have thick fingers with wrinkles at joints.
The White’s Tree Frog Habitat
The frogs that are found in the tropical warm regions that are found in Australia in addition to New Guinea. The species has a periodic patterns of drought and rainfall.
Fortunately, you don’t have to reproduce these trends in captivity.
White’s Tree Frog Setup
- Tank type Glass or Acrylic.
- Tank Size: 15-gallon tall tank.
- Lighting: 40-watt heat bulb.
- Substrate coconut fiber.
What size cage do You require for a White’s Tree Frog
One frog can happily be a part of a 15-gallon high terrarium. A cage that has a vertical orientation is essential. If you intend to add more than one species to your tank, then you should you should add 10 gallons for each additional species.
Dumpy tree Frogs are arboreal. This means that they love to climb, and spend a lot all their lives in trees. Strong sticks or live plants, or even PVC pipe will allow your frog show off their natural climbing habits. Make sure that their terrarium contains plenty of plants, branches and climbing material as they’re extremely energetic ( especially at night).
Terrariums made of glass or acrylic that have coconut fiber substrates are the most effective. The blend replicates their natural habitat, and can hold water well, without forming.
Avoid using tanks with metal mesh tops since it’s rough on the skin of your frog. Avoid any other objects within their tank with razor-sharp edges and rough texture.
White’s Tree Frogs require high levels of humidity. This is essential to prevent their skin from drying out. The humidity should be maintained at 70-90 percent. In order to reach this level, you’ll be required to mist every day.
How Do I Make My White’s Frog Tank Be?
Temperatures in the tank at daytime can vary between 76 and 85 degrees F. Keep an equilibrium between cooler and warmer regions. A 40-watt heater for a 15 gallon tank can keep a warm area in place if it is located near to the highest point of your tank. The temperature at night should fall to between 65 and 80 degrees.
White’s frogs don’t require the use of a UVB light, however some owners report that having the low output UVB bulb can increase the activity of their frogs.
Once the tank is set up, it must be regularly cleaned to eliminate any feces and unfinished food items.
A thorough cleaning should be performed at least every 2 weeks. Amphibians are extremely sensitive to chemicals and should be avoided making use of any soap or spray to clean their tank. A 1:30 bleach-to-water solution is safe in the event that the enclosure is washed thoroughly following.
The behavior: Croaking, Grunting and screaming
These frogs can be quite vocal and often grunt, squeak, croak or scream.
In the wild, White’s Tree Frogs are aolitary species.
The species is known to prefer spending the majority times in the trees searching for insects, and settling in crevices to avoid water loss in the dry season.
In captivity, they are the majority of their time within the enclosure. They only descend to relax in the water basin or catch prey. The younger ones are usually much more energetic than adult. Frogs of all age groups will be more active during the evening hours.
Tree Frogs can only be social with each other in mating seasons. It is in the wet season, from November through April. Males gather near sources of water and make the repeated croaking sound to attracted females. The method is typically reported by keeping staff as screaming and grunting.
The only time the species can be vocalized is when they’re in distress.
Frogs don’t show any aggression toward one another. They are not aggressive regarding hierarchies of dominance as well. Males and females are kept close if there isn’t any crowding.
Their personality is very gentle. They are therefore easy to handle for novices to manage.
To get your frog you must:
- Place a flat hand before your frog.
- Simply push gently onto its back side to get it to leap into your palm.
- Be sure to ensure that they are able to support their weight and not let it hang loosely.
- When you are holding your frog, hold your hands near to your floor. White’s tree frogs make excellent jumpers.
It is recommended to thoroughly cleanse your hands prior to and after touching any amphibian. Even amphibians that are healthy can be carriers of Salmonella as well as other microorganisms that could cause illness in humans. Humans can also be exposed to harmful contaminants or oils on their hands, which could be transferred to the frog’s delicate skin.
The purchase of a White’s Tree Frog
White’s Tree Frog are normally sold as froglets and adult. Tadpoles and eggs can be fragile and come with a high mortality rate when transported across long distances. If you’re thinking of the raising of your own White’s tree frogs , the best solution is to purchase an adult pair that breeds.
Wild-type or normal White’s Tree Frogs are normally 35 to $50..
Rare morphs like Blue-eyed Honey morph is the most expensive species, costing more than $100.
Common morphs like the blue phase or snowflake treefrogs are priced at priced at $50.
Healthy pet frogs must be energetic, well-lit and free of visible indications of injury or illness.
They should also be fed, but not over weight. Frogs who are overweight have greater likelihood of developing health problems.
You can also check the setup of the breeder. Be sure that the setup is well-maintained and not overcrowded.
When you get with your White’s Tree Frog it will require a couple of days to get used to its new home. It’ll be more active in the first few days while it explores the enclosure.
Let your frog go for up to 48 hours in a cage without being handled or fed. Once it has had the chance to adjust to the environment, it is now able to begin regular feeding.
The White Tree Frog Facts
Other Common Names | Dumpy Tree Frog, Australian Green Tree Frog |
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Scientific Name | Litoria caerulea. |
Price | Between $35 and $50 |
Size | Males range from 3 to 3.5 inches Females measure between 4 and 4.5 inches. |
Lifespan | 15 to 20 years old |
Diet | Crickets, roaches, and worms and occasionally mice |
Popular Alternatives | The White-Lipped Tree Frog, Pixie Frog, American Green Tree Frog and Fire-Belly Toad |
Summary
The White’s Tree Frog is considered to be one of the most popular pets Frogs for those who are new to the hobby.
Their chubby look makes them immediately easy to recognize. Adults are green with round bellies that are topped with a fat hairline that forms at one side of the heads.
Tree Frogs are gentle creatures which makes them very easy to handle. Their large availability makes it simple to find healthy captive-bred species.
They are most suitable for adults who are soft. They are not recommended for children because of their delicate skins as well as soft body.
Be sure to ensure that your tree frog has an 15-gallon tank that is tall and has lots of plants and branches so that you can be able to keep a healthy pet frog.
Have you ever had a white’s tree frog? Give some tips for caring for it in the comments section below.