These are computer-made illustrations, not photographs. No animal was handled, moved, lit or disturbed to produce them, which is the point: an animal photographed for a care guide is an animal taken out of its enclosure.
‹ All husbandry guidesThe numbers
Enclosure
30 × 30 × 20 cm
Temperature
24–28 °C; basking spot 30 °C warm side; under-tank heating mat with thermostat
Humidity
70–80%; substrate kept moist but not waterlogged; shallow water dish (water level = belly height); permeable skin — rapid desiccation risk
UVB
UVB not required; photoperiod 12 h; basic lighting
Identity
Adult size
♂ 7–8 cm SVL; ♀ 10–12 cm; juvenile ~2 cm
Lifespan
6–10 years in captivity
Legal status
Unrestricted
Price (THB)
800–4 000
Difficulty
Beginner (one of the easiest frogs to keep)
Cohabitation
Solitary MANDATORY (total cannibalism between individuals)
Enclosure and conditions
Terrarium / aquarium
Terrarium 30×30×20 cm for juvenile; 45×45×25 cm for adult; shallow floor (flat burrowing species); the terrarium just needs to be large enough for the frog to turn around
Temperature
24–28 °C; basking spot 30 °C warm side; under-tank heating mat with thermostat
Humidity / water
70–80%; substrate kept moist but not waterlogged; shallow water dish (water level = belly height); permeable skin — rapid desiccation risk
Lighting / UVB
UVB not required; photoperiod 12 h; basic lighting
Substrate / decor
Coco fibre or moist sphagnum 8–10 cm deep; no decoration (frog burrows under everything); integrated shallow water dish
Feeding
Ambush predator: crickets, Dubia roaches, earthworms, mice (adults); juveniles 3–4×/week, adults 1×/week (overfeeding common); calcium + D3 at every meal; tongs preferred
Reproduction
Sexing
♀ considerably larger (up to 2× ♂); ♂ darker throat; ♂ emits a loud, deep call
Maturity
♂ 6–8 months; ♀ 8–18 months
Breeding trigger
Simulated cool-down: lower T° to 18–20 °C for 4–8 weeks, reduce food and water; then gradually warm to 26–28 °C + simulated rain (intensive spray or rain chamber)
Egg laying
Axillary amplexus in shallow water zone; 1 000–2 000 eggs; hatching 24–48 h; remove adults immediately
Tadpoles / metamorphosis
Carnivorous and cannibalistic — low density or individual isolation; feeding: white worms, brine shrimp, earthworm pieces; metamorphosis 3–4 weeks
Juvenile care
Froglets very voracious from emergence; small crickets, white worms; isolate immediately (intense cannibalism); change substrate 1–2×/week (rapid fouling)
Common health problems
Spindly leg syndrome (in juveniles from poor rearing conditions)
Signstoo-thin limbs, inability to stand — calcium/D3 cause or tadpole overcrowding
Gastric impaction
Signssubstrate ingested (coarse coco fibre) — prefer sphagnum or fine coco fibre
Health
SignsChronic obesity in adults kept too warm and fed too often — feed 1×/week for adults, 1-week monthly fast beneficial
Quarantine
Signs21–30 days; clean solo terrarium; sphagnum or paper towel substrate (clean quarantine); test appetite at D3; weigh (kitchen scale 1 g) — adult ♀ can weigh >200 g
Good to know
- Ambush predator: the frog does not move to hunt — prey must pass in front of it or be presented with tongs
- Permeable skin: never handle with soapy hands or hands that have touched chemicals — toxicity via dermal absorption
- Many hybrid morphs (cranwelli × ornata = Fantasy Pacman) available at Bangkok market — note the cross for buyers
Others in this group
White's Tree FrogRanoidea caeruleaAxolotlAmbystoma mexicanumYellow-banded Poison Dart FrogDendrobates leucomelasMimic Poison FrogRanitomeya imitatorDyeing Poison Dart FrogDendrobates tinctoriusGolden Poison Dart FrogPhyllobates terribilisGreen-and-black Poison Dart FrogDendrobates auratusStrawberry Poison Dart FrogOophaga pumilio