White's Tree Frog
(Litoria caerulea)

White's tree frogs can be found in northeast Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia and the Torres Straits. Male White's tree frogs never reach more than four inches long while females are slightly larger at 5½ inches long. White's tree frogs have smooth green rubbery skin which can occasionally turn brown or have white speckles and have a fat and flabby appearance. At one year of age, male White's tree frogs grow nuptial pads that look like puffy pads where their "thumb" and "palm" meet.

Difficulty

NOVICE: The White's tree frog's smaller size make it an excellent choice for hobbyists to keep.

Requirements

An enclosure, such as:

• Glass or acrylic aquarium (25 gallons or more, depending on the number of White's tree frogs kept) with a secure lid

Substrate, such as:

• Potting soil
• Sphagnum Moss
• Paper Towels

A heating element, such as:

• Under the tank heater
• Incandescent heat bulb
• Ceramic infrared heat emitters

Enclosure

A minimum of 25 gallons for an adult pair of White's tree frogs is recommended, but a larger enclosure is always better. Plants and hollow logs/branches provide shelter and security for White's tree frogs and will also provide areas to climb. White's tree frogs can be safely housed with other White’s tree frogs or with other similar sized tree frogs with the same care requirements. White's tree frogs are semi-tropical, so a moderate amount of humidity is required. This can be achieved through misting of the frogs and enclosure two or more times a day. A large water dish with a depth of about four inches should always be provided.

Substrate

Potting soil, peat moss or a few sheets of damp paper towels on the bottom of the enclosure are all perfectly fine, but the soil and moss will help maintain the humidity. Try to avoid using small bark and gravel due to danger of ingestion.

Heating and Light

White's tree frogs should have daytime temperatures of 80°F to 85°F. Nightime temperatures should be 70°F to 75°F. A spotlight with an appropriate wattage incandescnet bulb or ceramic emitter can be used to provide heat. White's tree frogs are nocturnal so they do not require UV emitting bulbs, but if using live plants in your enclosure you should use a plant grow bulb. Many hobbyists will install thermometers or thermostats in the enclsosure to be able to accurately maintain these temperatures.

Diet

White's tree frogs are insectivorous. Insects such as crickets, flies, fruit flies, and just about anything smaller than their mouth can be offered. Crickets are usually the easiest and most readily available prey. When offering crickets be usre to gut load the crickets with a good diet to provide the best nutrition for your White's tree frog. Fresh water should be provided in a dish for the White's tree frogs. White's tree frogs are known for overeating and obesity. Fat is stored in the supratympanic ridges in White's tree frogs. An obese White's tree frog’s supratympanic ridges will cover the tynpanic membrane ("ear"). To avoid this, try only feeding only what is consumed in a few minutes.