Archives of The Cold Blooded News

The Newsletter of the Colorado Herpetological Society

Volume 31, Number 8;   August, 2004

White's Tree Frog

Common Name:

White's Tree Frog (Dumpy frog)

Scientific Name:

Litoria caerulea

Size:

Large females can measure 4 inches, males can measure 3 inches.

Longevity:

Ten or more years in captivity, sexual maturity at 2 years.

Active:

Nocturnal

Temperament:

Gentle, even-tempered, able to be handled. As with all frogs, skin is fragile.

Origin/Range:

Northern and Eastern Australia, the islands of the Torres Straits, southern New Guinea, and they have been introduced to New Zealand.

Habitat:

Wetter coastal areas; in dryer areas where seasonal water is available; dry cool winters with rainy spring and summer; man-made water reservoirs and pipes; common in backyards and sometimes get into houses; frequent foliage and the ground.

Caging:

Require plenty of ventilation. Juvenile frogs need a five to ten gallon tank, while a single adult requires at least a twenty gallon high. Daily spot cleaning is necessary because of mucus and heavy activity. Hardy plants are recommended. White's tree frogs like to bask occasionally, so a heat lamp may be appropriate.

Temperature:

76°F -85°F daytime, 65°F at night.

Lighting:

Full spectrum lighting if plants are in the cage.

Foods:

Feed crickets dusted with calcium powder no larger than the frog's head. Pinky mice can be offered sparingly beginning when the frogs become subadults. Feed them at night when they are active. Easily become overweight due to inactivity.

Water Requirements:

These frogs require clean water at all times in a shallow container. The water level should be no higher than the frog in a sitting position. Provide a rock in the water container so the frog has more than one way to escape the water. Use dechlorinated water at all times. Although distilled water is not recommended by most authors, several breeders have been using reverse osmosed water with good success (some will add trace minerals and salts back to the RO water). Mist the cage and frogs twice a day.

Notes:

White's store fat in the supratympanic ridges and have horizontal pupils. They also have a thick, waxy cuticle over their skin which allows them to survive in dry areas. Captive bred White's rarely achieve a natural bright, clear green.

References:

Bartlett, Patricia, Griswold, DVM, Billy, and Bartlett, R.D. (2001) Reptiles. Amphibians. and Invertebrates: An identification and care guide. Barron's Educational Series, Inc. Hauppauge, NY. pp.279.
Coborn, John. (1994) White's Tree Frogs. TFH. Publications, inc., 1 TFH Plaza, Neptune, New Jersey 007753.
Cogger, Harold. (2000) Reptiles & Amphibians of Australia. Ralph Curtis Publishing, Sanibel Island, FL.
Mattison, Chris. (1993) Keeping and Breeding Amphibians, Caecilians, Newts, Salamanders, Frogs, and Toads. Sterling Publishing Company, INC, New York.
Tyler, Michael. (1994) Australian frogs: A Natural History. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY
de Vosjoli, Philippe, Mailloux, Robert, and Ready, Drew. (1996) Care and Breeding of Popular Tree Frogs. Advanced Vivarium Systems, INC., 10728 Prospect Ave. Suite G, Santee, CA 92071-4558.
Walls, Jerry G. (1995) Fantastic Frogs: Poison, Horns, and Claws. TFH. Publications, INC, New Jersey.