White's Tree Frog

A tall 18x18x24 inch or larger arboreal terrarium suits one to two adults. Provide plenty of broad-leafed plants or artificial foliage, cork bark, and PVC pipe sections for perching and hiding. These frogs like to perch up high during the day. Temperature should stay between 75 and 85 degrees F during the day, dropping to 65 to 75 degrees F at night. Never let temperatures exceed 90 degrees F. A low-output UVB (T5 HO 5% or Zoo Med 5.0 compact) is now strongly recommended by amphibian veterinarians and improves bone density and health outcomes. Humidity should be maintained at 50 to 70% during the day and 80 to 100% at night (mist in the evening to simulate natural humidity cycles).

White's tree frogs are insectivores. Feed live insects sized appropriately - no wider than the space between the frog's eyes. Dubia roaches are an excellent staple. Crickets, hornworms, silkworms, and black soldier fly larvae provide variety and different nutritional profiles. Waxworms are extremely high in fat and should be used only as occasional treats.

Adults eat every other day to 3 times per week. Juveniles eat daily. Gut-load all insects 24 to 48 hours before offering - feed them collard greens, carrot, sweet potato, and commercial gut-load powder so the frog receives that nutrition. Dust feeders with calcium w/D3 at every other feeding and a reptile multivitamin once weekly.

Always use dechlorinated or reverse-osmosis water for the water dish and for misting. Tap water treated with a reptile dechlorinator (not just a generic aquarium dechlorinator) is appropriate. Frogs absorb everything through their skin - water quality matters as much as food quality.

White's tree frogs are one of the most handleable amphibian species. They are notably calm, curious, and tolerant of gentle interaction. Handle with clean, slightly damp hands - never with dry hands or hands that have any residue of soap, lotion, hand sanitizer, or any chemical. Frogs absorb substances through their skin and even trace amounts of common household chemicals are toxic to them.

Allow the frog to climb voluntarily onto your hand rather than grabbing it. Most White's tree frogs sit contentedly on hands, fingers, and shoulders and rarely make sudden jumps. They are most active and alert in the evening - plan handling sessions at dusk for the most relaxed interactions.

Provide broad-leafed plants or quality artificial foliage at different heights, cork bark, PVC pipe sections, and a shallow water dish. Rotate the positions of enrichment items occasionally to provide environmental novelty. Evening misting creates the rain-like conditions that trigger natural activity.

The most common health issues are chytridiomycosis (Bd fungus, a devastating amphibian disease preventable through quarantine and hygiene), red-leg syndrome (bacterial infection causing redness on the legs, from poor water quality or substrate), and obesity from overfeeding waxworms. Never handle a frog immediately after using hand sanitizer, lotion, or any chemical. Always use dechlorinated or RO water for misting and water dishes. Quarantine any new frog for 30 to 60 days before introducing it near other amphibians.