Do you need happy animals to add to your pet collection? Well, here is the best one for you! White tree frogs are peaceful and docile animals which are best to be added at home. They also look extremely cute despite their being exotic pets!
White tree frogs are also known as green tree frogs in Australia or dumpy frogs. They are locally found in some areas of New Guinea and Australia. Today, they are already widely distributed in New Zealand and USA.
Ranoidea caerulea or White tree frogs are flexible animals as they can thrive in different conditions provided that the environment is abundant with food. They can even exist in urban places or human habitation. They don’t require technicalities in handling so they are also good pets, especially for beginners and novice handlers.
Appearance/Size
Female white tree frogs can reach 4 to 4.5 inches long. They are typically larger than the males who only reach the size of 3.5 inches.
This type of animal has an interesting color. They have green, blue-green or gray coloration with a white underbelly. Some animals may also have yellow or white spots on the back or side of their bodies.
The female animals have white coloration on their throats while the males have gray wrinkled vocal sacs. The coloration of these animals depends on their activity level and the temperature of the environment. They can also change color from mint green to
grey during the night.
They have a fatty edge at the top of their eyes as well as fatty lines beneath them. They have an extremely appealing eyes which are horizontally placed. Their body is round and
has webbing on their toes. They are extremely cute animals, but they are capable of emitting alarming sounds whenever they are threatened.
Habitat
In their natural habitat, they live in seasonal drought and wet periods. They love an environment which is constantly moist. That’s why they are located in most forest areas where vegetation is rich and water sources are abundant. Their skin is also delicate
but they can still adapt to dry places.
They primarily live on trees near water sources. They can also satisfy themselves with the high amount of humidity by staying on trees. The leaves can also collect dews or moisture from the environment to which the frogs access to water. They need water and
moisture to keep them healthy. As an amphibian, water is very important for their growth and survival.
As stated earlier, white tree frogs can adjust to hot and dry conditions. Whenever it is a dry season, they prevent the loss of moisture from their bodies by staying in hollow places on trees or by secreting a substance that is called caerviein.
What they eat
A well-balanced diet is a key to maintaining the health of your pets. Hence, a proper selection of insect feeders must be made.
White tree frogs enjoy a variety of insects. It includes crickets, roaches, mealworms and hornworms. Either gut-loading or dusting can be made to ensure their nutrition. Aside from these insects, they must also be provided with clean water all the time.
For the frequency, of feeding, Juvenile frogs must be fed every day while adults in every other day. As to the number of insects to be fed, it depends on the appetite of your animal. They can normally consume the insects within 15 minutes. Take note that they have the tendency to become obese. Hence, overfeeding is should be avoided.
How long do they live
White tree frogs are hardy animals. Their lifespan may reach 15 to 20 if they are taken care of properly. There are also some white tree frogs that last for 23 years in captivity!
Type of enclosure
In captivity, white tree frogs are normally housed in enclosures or terrariums. 20-gallon containers can house at least 4 frogs. The same should be horizontally oriented since these animals are arboreal in character. They need branches and climbing materials
where they can sleep and play.
The substrate can be in a form of topsoil mixed with walnut shells. The layer of soil mix can be separated from the layer of stones by placing a screen mesh. The first layer serves as drainage and the outermost layer can be easily replaced whenever soiled by faces and other wastes.
The enclosure may also be added with a water source like a small pond. This must be planned to make sure the resources are not wasted. If the same is not possible, a bigger water dish can also be added. This is great for maintaining the moisture inside the tank.
Humidity is essential for their well-being and the same should be maintained within 70-90 percent. To improve the humidity, a water dish or misting may be done. In misting, remember to fully mist the plants or the decorations with dechlorinated water. Make sure that the enclosure is properly ventilated to let the excess moisture to evaporate.
The temperature, on the other hand, should be maintained at 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. For nighttime, the temperature may drop to 65-68 degrees Fahrenheit while the daytime temperature should be 72 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. UV lighting is recommended for white tree frogs since this is essential for vitamin D3 production and
calcium absorption.
Breeding
The sex of the frogs has to be identified to determine which animals are true pairs. Male white tree frogs usually have dark and swollen vocal sacs. They are also smaller compared
to females. Adult males are ready to mate when their nuptial pads are darkened. This is located at the base of the thumb. This is normally rough in texture since this is used to hold the female during mating.
The best way for more successful reproduction is by grouping them in an enclosure. You can add more males to the enclosure to assure a higher rate of success. Start breeding your frogs by imitating the winter season. Condition their environment with dry and cool conditions for 2 months and mist only at least once in a week. This will make them think that it’s already breeding season. After simulating the dry periods, increase the temperature gradually up to the daytime temperature. Feed them regularly to prepare their bodies for reproduction and mist frequently the enclosure.
Males tend to call every night. Once the female responds with slight sounds, this indicates that they should be moved to a rain chamber. The simulated rain helps in breeding and laying eggs. They tend to lay eggs on the surface of the water.
Success in breeding may not be directly observed. If you observe that there are no eggs after a week, you should bring them back to their enclosure and nourish them properly. Thereafter, observe their behavior if they are ready to mate.
If successful, tadpoles will normally hatch from eggs after two to three days. Once they learn how to swim, you should carefully move them to an aquarium. They can be fed with fish flake daily once they start to get active.
Final Thoughts
Just like other animals, they can also be subject to some health concerns. Basically, they can suffer from malnutrition, parasites and other health issues if they are not raised properly. They can also undergo stress when they are in poor environmental conditions.
Their housing needs to constantly check if it’s still suitable for them to live. Insects must also be gut-loaded or at least dusted to make sure they are getting rough nutrients.
In all, white frogs are appealing animals which can make a perfect pet for your hobby collection. They are not only colorful and attractive, but they are also happy animals with
a lovable personalities that you can enjoy for a long period of time!