How to Care for Tree Frogs as a Pet

Tree frogs are fun and fairly easy pets to keep. They are native to North America and tend to be communal, so they often prefer to live in a social group. This article offers some basic information on how to care for pet tree frogs and keep them healthy and happy.

Things You'll Need

  • Glass aquarium or terrarium with screen top
  • Substrate
  • An external heat source
  • Adhesive tank thermometer
  • A large, shallow water dish
  • Chlorine remover for water, found at most pet stores
  • Branches, driftwood and foliage to decorate habitat
  • Insects for feeding, such as crickets or meal worms
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Instructions

  1. Habitat

    • 1

      Select an enclosure. Glass aquariums and terrariums work best and should be no smaller than the 10-gallon size. The tank should have a screened top that locks to keep the frogs in and allows sufficient ventilation.

    • 2

      Line the bottom of the enclosure. For substrate, most reptile substrates are sufficient, including reptile bark and artificial grass. This should be used to line the bottom of the enclosure. The floor of the habitat should also contain a heavy, shallow dish containing un-chlorinated water to keep the frogs hydrated.

    • 3

      Decorate: The habitat should also be decorated with ample branches, driftwood, and foliage. While real plants can be used, artificial plants tend to be easier to maintain and keep clean.

    • 4

      Get the temperature right: Tree frogs naturally live in a semi-tropical environment. Therefore, the habitat should be kept humid and somewhat warm. External heat can be provided by a nocturnal heat lamp--positioned outside the aquarium--or an under-tank heater. The habitat temperature should be kept at about 65-75 degrees. Humidity can be maintained by spritzing the inside of the aquarium daily.

    • 5

      Keep the enclosure clean. The tree frog habitat should be cleaned on a regular basis and the water should be replaced daily.

    Feeding

    • 6

      Feed your pet. Tree frogs are insectivores and can thrive on a diet of insects that they can easily ingest. This includes crickets and meal worms. These insects can be found at most pet stores. It is also possible to raise your own crickets for feeding purposes. Tree frogs tend to eat live food better than pre-killed prey.

    • 7

      Enhance the nutrition value of these live foods by coating them with a powdered vitamin supplement, available at most pet stores.

    • 8

      Feed tree frogs daily.