How to Care for a Mossy Tree Frog

The mossy tree frog (also know simply as mossy frog) is a breed of frog that comes from northern Vietnam. The name of the frog comes from the distinctive textured moss-like skin that covers the body, which provides it with a valuable camouflage for survival in the wild. They also roll up into a ball and play dead when threatened. These frogs also have the sticky feet typical of tree frogs. When fully grown, they reach about 3 inches long.

Things You'll Need

  • Covered 10- to 20-gallon aquarium
  • Large resting surface for aquarium, such as a large rock
  • Floating aquarium plants (optional)
  • Heater
  • Crickets
  • Frog supplements
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill a 10- to 20-gallon aquarium 1/3 to 1/2 full of de-chlorinated water, and add a large object, such as a large rock, that protrudes a bit from the water, for the frogs to rest on. You may also want to add floating aquarium plants, such as water lettuce. Cover the aquarium with a screen or glass cover; frogs can jump out of the enclosure if not covered.

    • 2

      Use a heat lamp to keep the frog's environment warm, ideally between 70 and 75 degrees, though they will do fine between 60 and 80 degrees. As a tropical animal, they need an environment that is warm and moist.

    • 3

      Feed the frog large live crickets, which can be found at most pet stores. They can survive fine on a diet of only crickets. Feed each frog four or five crickets every three to five days. Younger frogs can be fed smaller crickets, but offer more frequent feedings. The frogs are mainly noctural, so feeding them in the evening is best. Sprinkle Rep-cal or Herptivite supplements on the crickets before feeding them to the frogs to provide additional nutrients. Supplements and crickets are available at pet stores.

    • 4

      Keep any eggs they may lay warm as well, and do not disturb the eggs as they develop. After two to three weeks, tadpoles will break from the eggs. You can feed the tadpoles spirulina flakes, also available at pet stores. The tadpoles will become frogs after about three months, and then frogs reach full maturity at one year after hatching. However, captive breeding is rare, as their bodies respond more to cues from their natural, wild environment.