Source: Clint’s Reptiles
A great showcase amphibian
White’s Tree Frogs is an extremely docile amphibian that is not afraid of humans and usually stays close to humans throughout its habitat. These chubby frogs are also known as Dumpy Tree Frogs because of their stout bodies and the large bulge on their heads as adults. They can range in color from bright green to beautiful teal and sometimes even purple. In captivity, there is a selectively bred line called Snowflake, which has lots of white spots all over its body. Reluctant to jump, tough and large 4-5” as adults, these frogs make a great first amphibian pet for anyone.
Habitat
White’s Tree Frogs are native to northern and eastern Australia and the island of New Guinea. These tropical frogs prefer warm, humid climates although they are not commonly found in tropical rainforests. They can be found in tree canopy near bodies of water but can also be found in nearby waterless terrestrial habitats. They like old eucalyptus trees that have holes filled with water to hide in. They are commonly found throughout their more than 1,574,000 square miles distribution.
House
Housing must be sealed and proof of escape with a protective cover or aquarium hood. A perfect terrarium for one or two adult frogs is the Zilla Vertical Tropics. If you want to raise more than 2 juveniles or 2 adults, the 18x18x5 Zilla Front Open Terrace works well. Provide some horizontal parking space for the frog to climb on and rest. For functional and naturalistic decorating options, check out Zilla Vertical Decor and Zilla Spring Cave. It is recommended to use substrates that are able to retain moisture and moisture such as Zilla Jungle Mix or Zilla Coconut Husk Brick. For extra moisture, use Zilla Terrarium Moss. Provide a large, shallow dish of water, such as the Zilla Step Plate, in the cage and change the water at least 2-3 times weekly.
Temperature and humidity
Maintain White’s Tree Frogs between 60-90% humidity. This can be done by misting at least once per day. Provide a thermal gradient (one warm side and one cool side) with the cool side of 70-75°F and a base point of 80-85°F. The background temperature can be achieved using the Zilla Halogen Mini Dome with the Zilla Day Blue 25W Mini Halogen Bulb and the Zilla Mini Tropical UVB Bulb. Provides 12-14 hour light cycle.
Feeding and diet
In the wild, White’s Tree Frogs are insectivores and will eat insects, spiders, and other invertebrates. They will sometimes capture and consume smaller amphibians or even small rodents. In captivity, they should be fed a diet of crickets, cockroaches and/or mealworms 2-3 times per week. Be careful not to overfeed them as obesity and other health problems will become a problem. Insects should be fed Zilla Gut Load Cricket. By using this product, you will increase the nutritional value of your feed and help pass on important nutrients to your frog. When feeding, spray your crickets with Zilla Calcium and Zilla Vitamin supplements 1-2 times per week for extra calcium, which is important for keeping pets healthy.
Handling
Unlike many amphibians, White’s Tree Frogs will tolerate some degree of careful, deliberate handling and can often become quite used to it. As with all amphibians, their skin is soft and absorbent, so wash your hands thoroughly and avoid any lotions, creams or oils before coming into contact with them.
