Description:

This is one of the prettiest of the North American tree frogs. The dorsum is usually bright green but may vary from brown to dark forest green. The belly is white. Typically, an enamel white lateral stripe narrowly engaged both above and below by darker pigment is present. This may run from the snout to the groin, be foreshortened or, in some populations, be entirely absent. Tiny orange golden spots may be present of the dorsum. The skin is smooth. Males have a huge vocal sac and the call is an oft-repeated nasal “quonk”. Albinos of this frog are now available in the pet trade.

Size and Lifespan

A length of 2 ¼ inches (3.7 cm) is commonly attained. Females are more robust than the males and lack the vocal sac. Green treefrogs may live for more than six years in captivity.

Natural Range

This frog ranges southward from the Delmarva Peninsula and Southern Illinois to the Florida Keys and the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas.

Captive Care

Green tree frogs are very easily kept, but are quite difficult to cycle for breeding. Unless they are frightened, these are quiet frogs that will remain for long periods – sometimes for days- in one spot. In a terrarium they may be tightly huddled into a vertical corner. By an outdoor pond this may be on a cattail leaf or on other pond side vegetation. Because they are inactive, several green tree frogs can be maintained in a cage the size of a 10 gallon aquarium. Although, more spacious cages are better. Green tree frogs will thrive in greenhouse settings. Green tree frogs are found in humid regions of the country, yet they are seldom seen in the water, except during the breeding season. They do best in a humid, by not wet terrarium in which sturdy plants are growing upon which they can rest. Green tree frogs feed readily upon all types of insects. Crickets, wax worms, and butterworms are all avidly eaten. For adult frogs the insects should be dusted with a vitamin D3 powder once a week, and twice a week for baby green tree frogs.

Breeding

When attempting to cycle green tree frogs for breeding, allow the natural rhythms of the seasons to set the pace. Induce dormancy (or semidormanance) by reducing the temperature and humidity while maintaining a natural photoperiod during the winter months. After 75 to 90 days, again increase warmth and elevate the humidity while still retaining a naturally lengthened photoperiod. “Spring showers” can be provided by using a recirculation pump and a spray head for a couple of hours a night. Any water used must be chlorine free. Winters nighttime lows should be 55-65 degrees, and the humidity should be about 50 percent. The night lows of summer should be in the low to mid 70’s and the highs in the low to mid 80’s. The summer’s humidity should be from about 80 to 100 percent. Your green tree frog will eat less during the winter cooling. Once the summers elevated photoperiod, temperature and humidity begin; your tree frog will begin ovulation and spermatogenesis within a week or two. The male tree frogs will call while sitting on a leaf or while on the edge of the water receptacle. If the females respond and are amplexed, they may produce several hundred eggs in clusters of several dozen each. The tadpoles will hatch in three to five days. They have a big appetite and will eat good quality fish food. Within a few days after becoming froglets, they will have an insatiable appetite. Feed them heavily and frequently. Dust all of the food items with a good quality D3 calcium mixture at least twice weekly.