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White's Tree Frog
General Care of White's Tree Frogs
White’s Tree Frog, Pelodryas caerulea
By
Teresa Bradley, DVM, Kevin Wright, DVM
Caging
 | A
tall or high (15-20gal) aquarium is recommended for housing
one adult frog. Larger enclosures are needed for additional
frogs, not to exceed five adults frog in 100cm x 50cm x
50cm(40 in x 19 in x 19 in) enclosure. |
| Perches
should be as wide as the frog’s body and placed primarily in
a horizontal position. If diagonally inclined perches are
utilized, they should be placed at only slight angles to
decrease difficulty of climbing for the larger, heavier frogs. |
| Although
not necessary, plants with stout branches and leaves may be
provided (snake plants, Sansevieria spp., or philodendron,
Monstera spp.) Avoid use of silk plants. |
| Substrates
may include brown paper towels, butcher paper, or “carpet”
type artificial grass with sealed edges. |
| Chlorine
and chloramine-free water should be used in the water bowl and
for misting the frogs each evening. |
| A
tight-fitting screen top with a locking mechanism is necessary
to provide adequate ventilation and prevent escapes. |
| The
enclosure temperature in the daytime should range from 24-29°C
(76-85ºF) with basking area that does not exceed 32ºC (90ºF).
Nighttime temperature should not fall below 18ºC (65ºF). |
| A
12 hour day and 12 hour night cycle should be provided. A pure
red incandescent bulb, ceramic heating element or a
thermostatically controlled, under the tank heating pad may be
used to heat the enclosure at night. |
| Ultraviolet-B
emitting bulbs should be used in addition to broad spectrum
fluorescent lighting.
|
Water
| 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. |
| Provide
water at all times. The
depth should be less than the height of the tree frog resting
with its legs folded. |
| Place
small rocks or other ramps in the water to prevent drowning of
the frogs or prey items. |
| Clean
water bowls daily or provide filtration. |
| Slightly
alkaline, moderately hard water is recommended. Guidelines for
freshwater cichlids (a type of tropical fish) are acceptable.
|
Diet
| Froglets
up to four centimeters (one and a half inches) may be fed one
to four pinhead crickets, daily. If few or no crickets remain
in the enclosure within 30 minutes of feeding, add a few more
crickets at the next feeding. |
| Sub
adult frogs up to eight centimeters (three inches) may be fed
one to two, three to four week old crickets, two to three
times each week. Once a month the crickets may be replaced
with small earthworms or one pinky mouse. If few or no
crickets remain in the enclosure within 30 minutes of feeding,
include a few more crickets at the next feeding. |
| Adult
White’s tree frogs may be fed three to four adult (large)
crickets twice weekly. Once each month large earthworms, night
crawlers or one fuzzy mouse may be fed instead of crickets. |
| Crickets
should be fed a gut-loading diet (commercially prepared
cricket diets that contain at least eight percent calcium) for
48 hours prior to being used as a food source. Dust cricket
with a calcium carbonate powder (oyster shell or cuttlebone)
three to four times weekly. At least one feeding each week
should include crickets dusted lightly with a vitamin-mineral
mix recommended by your veterinarian. Feed the dusted crickets
to the frogs immediately after dusting. |
| Dusted
prey items should be offered in the early evening when the
frogs are active, to ensure that the food is found and
consumed within 60 minutes.
|
Medical Problems
Amphibians may become very ill quickly if they do not
receive prompt medical attention. You should consult with your
veterinarian if any of the following problems are noted with your
White’s tree frog:
| loose
stools
|
| little
or no stool production
|
| weight
loss
|
| poor
appetite
|
| listlessness
or inactivity in a normally active frog
|
| cloudy
eyes
|
| reddish
discoloration of the belly skin or legs
|
| swelling
on the head, body or legs
|
| swollen
abdomen
|
| difficulty
breathing |
Please
feel free to call for an appointment at 847-329-8709.
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