Green Tree Frog

Intro
The Green Tree frog is one of the most popular pet frogs available today. Their care is not difficult, and they make an exciting pet for just about everyone. They are native to most of North America.

Appearance
These frogs grow to about 2 inches long. Despite their name, green tree frogs can be brown or grey as well as different shades of green. With the proper care they will live over 5 years old.

Handling/Aggression
Frogs should not be handled on a regular basis because it causes unnecessary stress and can be dangerous. Salts and oils on our skin can be absorbed by your frog and can be harmful or even deadly with excessive handling.

Diet
Green tree frogs will eat insects such as crickets, mealworms, wax worms or silkworms. When it comes to food, variety is good. Juvenile tree frogs need to be fed once or twice daily because they are still growing. Adults only need food every 4-5 days.

Feed your frog as much as it will eat in 20 minutes, and always remove uneaten insects from the enclosure. Dust food items with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements, and gut load them. Gut loading means filling the insect with healthy foods and minerals. What goes into your insects will go into your frog. Carrots and lettuce are great food for insects like crickets.

Housing
A glass enclosure of 20 gallons with a screen lid will work perfectly for an adult green tree frog. These frogs will use the vertical space provided, and prefer to spend most of their time off of the ground. Juveniles only need a 10-gallon enclosure. Green tree frogs prefer to live alone, and do not need to live in groups unless you are attempting to breed them.

If you are looking for the perfect setup for your Green Tree Frogs, then you might want to check out the Reptile Glass Terrarium sold at ReptiZoo. Our company is not affiliated with ReptiZoo but will receive a small referral commission. Click the image below for more details on this beautiful enclosure.


Substrate
A substrate that holds and releases humidity well is important. Use bed-a-beat, coconut fiber or potting soil to make the enclosure look natural. If you want an inexpensive, easy to clean substrate, use paper towels or newspaper. Avoid sand and anything that gives off excessive fumes.

Shelter
Provide shelter in the form of foliage such as plants and vines. Also give your tree frog a couple hides on the ground like propped up rocks, driftwood, or anything else that lets your frog feel safe and secure.

Temperature/Lighting
Daytime temperature inside of your tree frog's enclosure can stay at room temperature, and nighttime temperatures should fall no lower than 65F. A low wattage bulb can be used to add any additional heat needed. The green tree frog does not require any UVA/UVB lighting.

Humidity/Water
Mist the entire enclosure once or twice a week to simulate rainfall. Provide a water bowl that is shallow, but large enough for the frog to move around in. The water bowl will get dirty quickly so replace the water as needed. If you use tap water to provide water to your frog, let it sit out for 24 hours before use to remove any chlorine and metals in the water.

Cleaning
Spot clean daily. Replace loose substrates every 2-3 months and paper substrates when soiled. Always provide a water bowl with fresh, clean water at all times and mist the enclosure weekly.

Breeding
The documented breeding of the green tree frog is rare because most are wild caught an abundantly available to most of the United States. To successfully breed green tree frogs you will need a group of 3-4 fully mature females and one or two mature males in the same enclosure.

To simulate the breeding season, lower the temperatures to 65F and lower humidity levels. Provide less food for each frog as well. After this period of 2 months, bring the temperatures back up and mist the enclosure daily and provide a lot of water. The frogs will mate during this time which they consider spring. Increasing daylight hours helps stimulate the males and females as well.

Males will start calling for the females, and will fertilize the eggs when the females lay them. Eggs will be laid in the water attached to floating vegetation or rocks. A large, shallow water bowl is required for successful egg laying.

Thousands of eggs will be laid and hundreds of tadpoles will hatch. Keep tadpoles in clean water with objects for them to attach to and hide among. After 5-8 weeks tadpoles will begin to develop into frogs.

Hatchling Care
Juvenile enclosures should be very basic and as the tadpoles develop, add more land, and take away the water as they spend most of their time on land. Juveniles should be given a near constant supply of small crickets to consume.

Conclusion
Green tree frogs are the most popular pet frogs today. They have basic care requirements and are fun animals to own. Remember, do your research before buying any pet so that it can live happily and healthily.