Red-Eyed Tree Frog

Red-Eyed Tree Frog

Scientific name: Agalychnis callidryas
Common names: Red-Eyed Tree Frog, Red-Eyed Leaf Frog
Adult size: Around 5–7 cm
Lifespan: 8–12+ years

📏 Size

• Females are generally larger than males.
• Small, lightweight arboreal frogs with excellent climbing ability.

🏡 Housing

• Tall, vertically orientated vivarium with excellent ventilation.
• Around 45 × 45 × 60 cm minimum for a small group; larger is preferable.
• Provide plenty of live/artificial plants, vines and branches.
• Broad leaves give excellent resting and hiding areas.
• Use a secure, escape-proof lid.

🌡️ Temperature

• Day: 24–27°C
• Night: 20–23°C
• Avoid prolonged temperatures above 28°C.
• Use thermostatically controlled heating where required.

💡 Lighting

• Low-level UVB around 2–5% is beneficial.
• Provide a natural 10–12 hour day/night cycle.
• Ensure plenty of shaded areas within the enclosure.

💧 Humidity

• Aim for around 70–80%, with natural fluctuations.
• Mist regularly, preferably allowing the enclosure to partially dry between misting.
• Good ventilation is essential to prevent stagnant conditions.

🦗 Food

• Feed appropriately sized live insects such as crickets, locusts, roaches and flies.
• Juveniles require smaller prey and more frequent feeding.
• Dust prey with calcium and suitable amphibian vitamins.
• Feed adults around 2–3 times per week, depending on body condition.

💧 Water

• Provide a shallow dish of clean, dechlorinated water.
• Replace water daily or whenever contaminated.
• Frogs will also drink droplets from leaves and enclosure surfaces.

🐸 Shedding

• Frogs regularly shed their skin and will usually eat it.
• Correct humidity and hydration should allow normal shedding without assistance.
• Never attempt to remove loose skin manually.

🤲 Handling

• Handling should be kept to a minimum.
• Their skin is highly sensitive and can absorb oils and chemicals.
• If handling is essential, use clean, powder-free disposable gloves moistened with dechlorinated water.

❤️ Health

• Monitor appetite, activity, body condition and skin.
• Watch for dehydration, abnormal skin, lethargy and difficulty climbing.
• Good hygiene, ventilation, UVB and appropriate supplementation are important.

🧽 Cleaning

• Remove waste and uneaten insects regularly.
• Clean the water dish daily.
• Wipe dirty surfaces and remove dead leaves as required.
• Avoid harsh chemicals around the frogs.

🏠 Before You Bring Your Frog Home

• Fully establish the vivarium and check temperatures and humidity beforehand.
• Have suitable plants, climbing surfaces, water and live food ready.
• Ensure the enclosure is secure.

⚠️ Important Bits

• Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are arboreal and nocturnal, so they may spend much of the daytime resting on leaves.
• Provide plenty of vertical climbing space and foliage.
• Avoid overheating — they are particularly sensitive to excessive temperatures.
• Never use tap water containing chlorine/chloramine directly on the frogs.
• Keep handling to a minimum and wash/disinfect equipment between enclosures.