The numbers
Enclosure
45 × 45 × 60 cm
Temperature
26–32 °C; basking spot 35–38 °C warm side; night 20–22 °C; semi-arid species tolerates heat
Humidity
40–60% (LOW for a tree frog); do not maintain at 70–80% continuously — risk of serious skin infections; light nocturnal misting 1×/day
UVB
UVB 5–10% recommended (partly diurnal species, natural basking); photoperiod 12–14 h; basking heat lamp
Identity
Adult size
♂ 7–8 cm SVL; ♀ 9–10 cm; juvenile ~1.5 cm
Lifespan
8–12 years in captivity
Legal status
Unrestricted
Price (THB)
2 500–6 000
Difficulty
Intermediate (low humidity — counter-intuitive for a tree frog)
Cohabitation
Groups of 4–8 individuals; community species; characteristic slow-walking behaviour
Enclosure and conditions
Terrarium / aquarium
Arboreal vivarium 45×45×60 cm for 3–4 individuals; well ventilated (mesh side); horizontal branches for 'walking'
Temperature
26–32 °C; basking spot 35–38 °C warm side; night 20–22 °C; semi-arid species tolerates heat
Humidity / water
40–60% (LOW for a tree frog); do not maintain at 70–80% continuously — risk of serious skin infections; light nocturnal misting 1×/day
Lighting / UVB
UVB 5–10% recommended (partly diurnal species, natural basking); photoperiod 12–14 h; basking heat lamp
Substrate / decor
Lightly moist coco fibre or bark; large horizontal branches (frog walks and does not jump); drought-resistant plants (Sansevieria, non-spiny cacti); shallow water dish
Feeding
Crickets, Dubia roaches, sphinx moths; 2–3×/week adults; calcium + D3; feeding in the evening rather than morning
Reproduction
Sexing
♀ larger; no notable chromatic dimorphism; ♂ axillary amplexus
Maturity
18–24 months
Breeding trigger
Rainy season simulation (October–May in the wild): increase nocturnal misting, nocturnal T° to 18–20 °C, photoperiod to 12–14 h; large horizontal leaves above a water point
Egg laying
The pair rolls broad leaves above a pool to form a protective cocoon for the eggs (50–200 eggs); tadpoles fall into the water at hatching
Tadpoles / metamorphosis
Herbivorous (algae, spirulina); metamorphosis 6–8 weeks
Juvenile care
Juveniles require higher humidity (60–70%) than adults during the first 2–3 months; small crickets
Common health problems
Fungal/bacterial skin infections if humidity too high (>70% continuous)
Signsthe cutaneous lipid wax loses its effectiveness — maintain 40–60%
Health
SignsDehydration if substrate too dry and T° >35 °C without water access — water dish always available
Chytridiomycosis (Bd)
Signsless sensitive than humid frogs but PCR recommended
Quarantine
Signs30 days; dry and ventilated vivarium (40–50% humidity); T° 28–30 °C; observe waxing behaviour (rubs skin with limbs — sign of good health)
Good to know
- Unique waxing behaviour: the frog spreads lipid secretions over its entire body surface using its limbs to waterproof its skin — lowest known water permeability in an anuran
- Partly diurnal species: visible during the day unlike most tree frogs; basking in the sun in the wild
- Walks on branches rather than jumping — slow and methodical movement (hence 'monkey frog'); wide horizontal branches essential
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