Common Name :- Whites Treefrog

Classification/Latin name :- Litoria caerulea

Size :- 3-4.5inches

Distribution :- New Guinea and North-eastern Australia

Natural Habitat:-

 

Description and sexing:-

A large heavy bodied treee frog, colour ranging from light green to blue. The skin is waxy and this helps to prevent water loss n arid conditions. Females are generally larger and more rounded in appearance and males have darker throats with looser skin.

Enclosure size:-

A vivarium at least 18"x18"x18" / 45cmx45cmx45cm will be sufficient for a group of up to five.

Heating and temperature:-

Background heating is best provided by a heat mat applied to one wall, with a UV tube providing both light and supplemental heating, or a small well guarded spot lamp, lighting to be turned off at night to provide a night time temperature drop. Daytime temperature in the region of 78 degrees F, with a night time drop to no lower than 65 degrees F.

Lighting and day length:-

A day night cycle is beneficial with a day length of approximately twelve hours. UV doesn't seem vital, however it does seem to improve the long term well being and should be considered.

Humidity:-

Although Whites' are tolerant of low humidity for periods of time, it's recomended that the vivarium is sprayed lightly every day in the evening.

Substrate and decoration:-

Bark chippings seem the best substrate maintaining humidity and also being asthetically pleasing.Decoration should consist of branches or vertical pieces of coek bark and large plastic plants to provide ample climbing / hiding places.

Feeding and vitamins:-

Invertabrae ie; crickets and locusts are ideal as a staple diet with supplements of fish, worms and small rodents as a treat to provide a varied diet, all food should be lightly dusted wiht a calcium based powder.

Possible problems:-

Whites' seem very resiliant to problems, a check should be kept that no sores or skin infections occur. However, these are generally rare if the enclosure is kept clean and water changed on a regular basis to ensure low background amounts of bacteria.

Handling:-

One of the easiest tree frogs to handle, becoming tame and relaxed while being held, as with all amphibians it is recommended that hands should be washed before handling to ensure no contaminants are present and that the hands are damp.

Breeding and rearing:-

Breeding will only occur if these frogs have a dry period when they will estuate. During this period, their body becomes coated in several layers of unshed shed skin, reducing water loss and they will sleep. Rousing them after about four weeks by heavy spraying and placing a large water bowl in their vivarium will occasionally induce amplexus and egg production. Eggs should be transferred to a warm fish tank, tadpoles on hatching should be fed fishflakes, bloodworm and chopped worms, until metamorphis.

Further reading:-