RED EYED TREE FROG  

  • The red-eyed tree frog natural habitat extends from northern Colombia, through Central America and into southern Mexico.
  • Inhabiting tropical rainforests, especially moist, low-lying areas near rivers and streams, they climb trees and often attach themselves to the underside of leaves during the day to rest.
  • The red-eyed tree frog is vibrantly colored with large, bright red eyes, a green body, and light blue sides with yellow strips. Its feet are bright orange and its legs are mostly green. The underside is a light-cream color. Young red-eyed tree frogs are brown and gain their distinct coloration as they mature. Adult red-eyed tree frogs can temporarily change their color to a darker green or reddish brown color.
  • Is a delicate nocturnal frog, with a slender body about 3” long. Large toe pads enable it to adhere to smooth surfaces such as leaves, branches and glass. Adult females are almost twice the size of males.

Diet

Red Eye Tree Frogs are insectivorous but prefer insects that are faster moving. For this reason, food like mealworms or wax worms should be avoided. Never feed any insects that are found outside. They may contain diseases or may even be toxic. Their main diet should consist of crickets or feeder roaches. They should be fed prey that is smaller than the distance between their eyes. They have a fast metabolism and should be fed every other day. Younger frogs should be fed daily.

Insects should be gut loaded at least 12 hours prior to feeding to ensure proper nutrition. Red Eye Tree Frogs are nocturnal, so insects should be dusted with a Calcium powder with Vitamin D3, since they do not manufacture their own. Insects should be dusted with calcium every few feedings and a multivitamin supplement once every couple of weeks.

Red Eye Tree Frogs have a fast metabolism, so insects should be fed every few days at night. For example, a feeding schedule of Monday, Wednesday, Friday works best. Young Red Eye Tree Frogs can be fed more frequently. Any uneaten insects should be removed the following morning to avoid stressing out your frog.

Provide a shallow plastic water dish sunk into the substrate allowing the frog to easily get in and out. The water should be no deeper than ½ the frog’s height when at rest. Frogs absorb water through their skin, so the water should always be clean. Change the water at least every other day with de-chlorinated water; more often if the water is dirty.

Housing  

Tree frogs are arboreal, or tree-dwelling, needing taller habitats such as a 15 or 20 gallon “tall” aquarium with a screen top for ventilation. Plant the tank with various plants, vines and branches to climb on. These frogs do well alone, in pairs, or in colonies, requiring an extra 10 gallon space for each pair.

Cover the bottom of the tank with 3-5” of a coconut-fiber or bark substrate and damp sphagnum moss to help keep the tank's humidity at 50-70%. Keep the substrate damp and mist the cage as needed. Keep the temperature of the tank around 75-84ºF.

Red Eyed Tree Frogs do not like bright light; UVB light is not essential. Provide a 12 hour light/dark cycle with a low 20-40 watt bulb, using a red light at night for viewing. A nocturnal frog, they will spend their days under cover or clinging inactively to the side of the tank and become active and feed at night. You may notice your frog turn a dark brown color to blend in with the substrate to aid in hunting.

Handling

Tree frogs do not normally jump, preferring a hand over hand motion of moving. However, their leaps can be quite large if startled. As these animals absorb substances through their skin, it is important that you wash your hands with antibacterial soap before and after handling the frog, for its own safety and for yours.