Cuban Tree Frog Habitat & Care

Habitat

• Cuban tree frogs thrive in moist, humid habitat and they don't need a lot of space. A 10-gallon aquarium provides plenty of room for two adult frogs--a tall aquarium allows space for climbing. Cuban tree frogs eat smaller frogs, so you may want to keep them in their own terrarium. The terrarium should have a two-inch layer of medium-sized gravel (rinsed to remove dust), topped with a four- to six-inch layer of moist potting soil and peat moss mixture. Include tropical plants that have deep "axils" (pockets where the leaf meets the stem), such as bromeliads, in the habitat to create shelter for the frogs. Add a small, shallow water dish, and secure the screen lid tightly to prevent escapes.

Care

• Cuban tree frogs need little care--they mainly just require warmth and moisture. The temperature in the terrarium should be kept between 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit--a heat lamp can provide heat in the winter (or to counter air conditioning). Moisten the soil and plants at least every other day with aged water (allowed to sit for 24 hours for chlorine to evaporate)--and use a spray bottle or watering can to do so. Replace the water in the dish with clean water frequently, as frogs will often relieve themselves during their nightly soaks in the water dish. Remove any feces, algae, dead crickets or other debris immediately. Once every three to four months, remove the soil, rinse the gravel and wash the aquarium with mild soapy water before replacing the gravel and adding new soil.

Feeding

• Cuban tree frogs will eat crickets or wax worms, and possibly meal worms--purchase these from a pet store. Large Cuban tree frogs may even take small pink mice. Crickets provide adequate nutrition and cost much less than other food items. Offer adult Cuban tree frogs as many prey as they will eat in one night, two to three times per week. Feed very young Cuban tree frogs a few small crickets each day. Experiment with the quantity of crickets offered--remove any uneaten crickets the next day. Once a week, dust the crickets with an amphibian vitamin supplement powder before offering them to the frogs.

Human Health Concerns

• Cuban tree frogs evolved several unique adaptations that help them to survive and escape being eaten. When they are handled, their skin often oozes a slimy mucus--this helps them to slip away from predators. If you get this slime on your hands and then touch your eyes, it can burn your eyes; be sure to rinse your hands well with running water. If you touch your nose, the slime can cause an allergy-like reaction--sneezing and stuffy or runny nose (or both). The more you handle these frogs, the more sensitive you may become. People with asthma may even find that the slime can trigger an attack. Because of this, Cuban tree frogs do not make good pets for children, asthmatics or anyone who wants a pet that can be handled often.

Conservation Concerns

• In the early 1900s, Cuban tree frogs began to hitchhike their way to new areas outside of their natural range, including other islands in the Caribbean and Florida. These introduced frogs have thrived and have spread to more new areas and are now breeding throughout the peninsula of Florida. In many parts of Florida, scientists believe they are replacing the native tree frogs. The invasive Cuban tree frogs prey on smaller native tree frogs, and their tadpoles compete for space and food. Because these frogs could survive in many parts of the southeastern United States and the Caribbean and harm the native ecosystem, it is very important to never let them loose. If you are no longer able to care for your pet frog, find it a new home or return it to a pet store.