White Lipped Tree Frog Care

White-lipped tree frogs are the largest of the known tree frogs and average anywhere between 3 and 5 inches in length. They are typically bright green with white lips, hence their name. They are native to the jungles of northern Australia but are common in the pet trade. Caring for white-lipped tree frogs is not difficult to care for provided you can give them the enclosure and food they require.

  1. Enclosure

    • The white-lipped tree frog's enclosure must be at least 18 inches tall. They are arboreal frogs and prefer lots of height as opposed to ground space. A 29-gallon aquarium is 30 inches long and 18 3/4 inches high, which makes it ideal for a single adult white-lipped tree frog. Enclosure need to have a very secure lid with a screen top for ventilation.

    Decor

    • White-lipped tree frogs need a lot of climbing areas, so decorate the enclosure with lots of cork and tree branches. Live plants can also be used. The branches should be at varying heights in the enclosure so the frog can find what it's most comfortable with. A small cave or shelter may be placed somewhere in the enclosure. This will give the frog a place to seclude itself it is stressed.

    Substrate

    • Substrate is what lines the bottom of the enclosure. Use a substrate that is easy to clean, like moss, bark or jungle soil. All of these are commonly found in pet shops. Spot clean the substrate everyday and change it out completely at least once a month to keep it free of parasites. White-lipped tree frogs defecate frequently, so it is important to keep the substrate clean. Do not use reptile carpet, as the fibers may irritate the frog's skin.

    Temperature and Humidity

    • The white-lipped tree frog's enclosure should be around 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. This is accomplished with a heat lamp and specialized heat bulb placed over one side of the tank. Do not place the heat lamp in the middle. Placing it on one side allows the frog to move between warmer and cooler areas of its enclosure depending on what it's comfortable with. Turn the heat lamp off at night to allow the tank to drop into the mid-70s. The humidity should be kept above 50 percent at all times. Mist the enclosure frequently with warm, freshwater and monitor the humidity with a hygrometer.

    Lighting

    • White-lipped tree frogs should never be exposed to direct sunlight, so keep the enclosure in a dark room or in indirect sunlight. They require UVB rays to help metabolize calcium. UVB rays come in specialized UVB bulbs that can be purchased in pet shops. Provide UVB 5.0 lighting in a 12-hour cycle. Turn the light off at night and on during the day. Use a timer, if necessary, to keep the lighting schedule firm.

    Food and Water

    • White-lipped tree frogs should be provided with a shallow water dish at the bottom of their enclosures. The water should be changed daily and the bowl should be cleaned every other day with detergents. They eat a variety of commercially-available live foods including crickets, roaches, grasshoppers and mealworms. Adults should eat 18 to 24 food items every other day while juveniles should eat six every other day. You can optionally feed the food items vitamin supplements like GutLoad before feeding them to your frog.

    Handling

    • White-lipped tree frogs should only be handled when cleaning their tanks or transferring them. It may be dangerous to the animal to overhandle it. It breathes through its skin, and overhandling may damage it. You may also transfer chemical residues on your hand, like soap, to the frog, which could make it sick.