White's Tree Frog Care Sheet
Introduction
White's Tree Frogs (Litoria caerulea) are arboreal (tree-dwelling), it is best to provide them ample vertical climbing space. Juveniles can be raised in a 12x12x18” terrarium while a 18x18x24” is recommended for adult frogs, but larger enclosures are always beneficial. The enclosure should have a secure mesh top for ventilation while retaining humidity. A live bioactive terrarium is best for this species but you can also use artificial plants, branches, cork bark, and vines to create climbing opportunities and a naturalistic environment. These frogs love to perch on strong steady leaves.
Care sheets are only to be taken as guidelines. Just as with all animals, each frog will have unique traits and personalities special to the individual animal that may require adaptation in their husbandry and care. The following care sheet will address basic requirements but as the primary caretaker of your pet, we encourage you to take notice of your pet's behaviours and preferences and make adjustments as they grow with you and your family. Please also keep in mind that unlike mammals, most reptiles change their behaviour according to seasonal weather changes even if you keep them indoors all year round. Most reptiles also change their behaviour according to their life stages and should not be expected to behave the same their whole life.
We keep frogs and toads in stock at our Toronto store and ship across Canada.
Cheat Sheet
White's Tree Frog
| Common name | White's Tree Frog |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Litoria caerulea |
| Natural location | Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea |
| Habitat (wild) | Warm and humid forest |
| Captive enclosure | 12x12x18” for juveniles, 18x18x24” for adults |
| Substrate | Bioactive Blends, Cypress Mulch, Loose Bark, Coco Husk, Soil Blends |
| Temperature tolerance | Cooler: 72-82°F (22-28°C), Nighttime: 68-72°F (20-22°C) |
| Basking temperature | 80-85°F (26-30°C) |
| UVB lighting | Optional. Not required but can be beneficial in small amounts |
| Humidity | Approx. 50%-70% |
| Average adult size | 3-5” |
| Captive lifespan | 10-15 years |
| Fun fact | They always look like they are smiling at you |
Housing
Substrate: A bioactive substrate mixture is best for this species such as the ZM Tropical Bioblend or you can make your own using a mixture of moisture retaining substrates such as cypress mulch, peat moss, repti soil, moss, carbon, gravel, coconut fibre, and loose leaves. We highly advise against using only coconut fibre even though this is commonly offered in commercial ready starter kits.
Heating and temperature: White's Tree Frogs do best in moderately heated terrariums. They thrive at temperatures between 75-85°F (24-30°C) during the day, with a slight drop to 68-72°F (20-22°C) at night. A low-wattage heat lamp, ceramic heat emitter, or radiant heat can help maintain the proper temperature. Ensure that a thermometer is used to monitor temperature accurately.
Hide spots: Providing multiple hiding spots, such as cork bark, hollow logs, and dense foliage, helps frogs feel secure. Vertical climbing branches and live or artificial plants mimic their natural habitat and encourage natural behaviours.
Humidity: Humidity levels should be maintained between 50-70%. Regular misting with water will help achieve this, but avoid making the enclosure too damp, as excessive moisture can lead to the spread of bacteria. A hygrometer should be used to monitor humidity levels as humidity levels are crucial to the health of this species.
Diet
Feeding: White's tree frogs are insectivores, with a diet consisting mainly of crickets, roaches, mealworms, and occasional waxworms, hornworms, or nightcrawlers. We find that they are most attracted to feed that move a lot in front of them. Feed juveniles daily and adults every 2-3 days.
Supplementation: Offer lightly dusted crickets once per week with calcium or multi vitamin. Be careful not to over supplement with vitamin D3.
Water: All tree frogs absorb water through their skin. For this reason, they do best by taking water through misting directly on them and around their environments. A shallow water dish with dechlorinated water should also be available as frogs will sometimes dip parts of their bodies into the water to absorb it when they need to. The dish should be cleaned and refilled daily to prevent bacterial growth.
Health & Maintenance
Hygiene: It is absolutely crucial to keep amphibian terrariums clean as they are very sensitive creatures. Routinely clean your enclosure to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. Spot clean daily by removing waste and uneaten food. A deeper clean of the enclosure should be done every few weeks, ensuring that any substrate, decorations, and water dishes are properly sanitized. You can minimize the cleaning needed by creating a live bioactive habitat which will heavily aid in natural breakdowns of waste that gets cycled through the presence of live plants and beneficial lifeforms in the soil. If done correctly, substrate changes are not necessary for many years at a time. If not using a bioactive habitat, then we recommend a full substrate change at least once per season, 4 times a year. Wood and plant decor can be washed monthly with hot water and dish soap and put back into place. Regularly check for signs of mould in humid enclosures.
Handling: While White's Tree Frogs tolerate handling better than most amphibians, it should still be kept to a minimum. Their skin is sensitive, so always wash hands before and after handling to remove oils, lotions, or other contaminants. Using damp hands or gloves can help prevent skin irritation. Wash your hands before and after handling to prevent the spread of bacteria.
Behavioural observation: White's Tree Frogs are known for their calm and sometimes clumsy nature. They are primarily nocturnal, becoming more active at night. These frogs may chirp or call, especially males during the breeding season. They can also change colour quite dramatically depending on temperature, mood, and environment, ranging from bright green to a more muted brownish-green and purples.
Quarantine: Quarantine any new additions to your reptile collection to prevent the spread of diseases.
Common Questions
How big do White's tree frogs get?
3 to 5 inches as adults. They are chunky rather than long, which is part of why they are such popular display animals.
What size terrarium does a White's tree frog need?
12x12x18 inches for juveniles, 18x18x24 inches for adults, and bigger is always better. Height matters more than floor space because they are tree-dwelling. A secure mesh top gives you ventilation while still holding humidity.
Can you handle a White's tree frog?
They tolerate it better than most amphibians, but it should still be kept to a minimum. Their skin absorbs what it touches, so wash your hands before and after, and use damp hands or gloves to avoid irritating the skin.
What do White's tree frogs eat?
Crickets, roaches and mealworms as the staple, with waxworms, hornworms or nightcrawlers occasionally. They respond to movement, so feeders that move a lot in front of them work best. Juveniles daily, adults every 2 to 3 days.
Do White's tree frogs need a water dish?
Yes, though they drink through their skin rather than their mouth. Misting is the main way they take in water. A shallow dish of dechlorinated water lets them sit and absorb when they want to, and it needs cleaning and refilling daily.
How long do White's tree frogs live?
10 to 15 years in captivity, which is long for an amphibian and worth knowing before you buy one.
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We carry the terrariums, bioactive substrate, misting equipment and climbing decor covered in this guide at 1911 Kennedy Rd. Unit 99 in Toronto. Staff can walk you through a full setup in person.
