Amphibian Care Sheets

Amphibians are great display animals. They are particularly well suited to living in naturalistic vivaria with live plants and flowing water. Although there are few species available as domestically bred stock, the list is slowing growing. Note: Amphibians are not animals that should be handled regularly. The nature of an amphibian's skin is such that toxins can easily pass through the skin into the animals blood stream. If an amphibian is handled by someone with insect repellant, hand lotion, perfume, or even mild soap on their hands, the animal may die from exposure to hazardous chemicals. Amphibians also generally prefer cooler temperatures. Heat from our hands can make these them quite uncomfortable.

Reptilia's Care Sheets for Amphibians are ordered by common name. All care sheets follow our format, which is intended to provide easy reference for your convenience. When multiple amphibians of the same type such as Tree Frogs, Tree Frog is used and the species is listed afterward. An example is: Tree Frog, Red-eyed. The Latin name is provided thereafter.

 

 

 

Dart Frog, Blue - Dendrobates azureus
 

Rating 2 - specialized dietary and environmental needs.

Adult Size - Females attain snout-vent lengths of 4.5 cm (2 inches). Males are slightly smaller - rarely attaining 4.0 cm. Longevity - This species lives to be between 8 and 10 years old in captivity.

Diet - Their diet includes Fruit flies, pinhead crickets, aphids, and springtails. This species is given a rating of two due to the

 
 

Dart Frog, Dyeing - Dendrobates tinctorius
 

Rating 2 - need to be fed large quantities of small prey items such as pinhead crickets and fruit flies. 

Adult Size - Adult females attain snout-vent lengths of between 3.5 - 4.6 cm (1.5-2 inches). Males are slightly smaller.

Longevity - Poison dart frogs may live more than 10 years in captivity with some species possibly living as long as 20 years.

Diet - They eat Pinhead to 1/4 crickets and fruit flies. Given a rating of 2 since they

 

 

Dart Frog, Green and Black - Dendrobates auratus

 

Rating 2 - They need to be fed large quantities of small prey items such as pinhead crickets and fruit flies.

Adult Size - Adult females attain snout-vent lengths of between 2.5 - 4.2 cm (1-2 inches). Males are slightly smaller.

Longevity - Poison dart frogs may live more than 10 years in captivity with some species possibly living as long as 20 years.

Diet - Pinhead to 1/4 crickets and fruit flies. 

 

 

Horned Frog, Argentine  - Ceratophrys ornata
 

Rating 2 - they need to be fed large quantities of small prey items such as pinhead crickets and fruit flies.  Regular misting is required to maintain appropriate levels of humidity.

Adult Size - Females attain snout-vent lengths of between 8.5-12 cm (3.75-5.5 inches). Males are slightly smaller - 6-9 cm (2.75-4 inches).

Longevity - This species lives to be between 8 and 10 years old in captivity.

Diet - Juveniles - crickets, meal worms, wax worms, and other insects; Adults - crickets, meal worms, wax worms, fish, and the occasional pink mouse.

 

 

 

 

 

                           

Tree Frog, Green - Hyla cinerea
 

Rating 2 - feeding habits and adult size.

Adult Size - attain snout-vent lengths of between 4.5-6 cm (1.75-2.25 inches).

Longevity - This species lives to be between 5 and 8 years old in captivity. Diet - Juveniles - crickets, meal worms, wax worms, and other insects; Adults - crickets, meal worms, and wax worms.

 

 

Tree Frog, Red-eyed  - Agalychnis callidryas
 

Rating 3 - sensitive creatures and are more delicate than White's Tree Frogs.

Adult Size - Females attain snout-vent lengths of between 7 cm (2.5 inches). Males are slightly smaller - 5.5 cm (2.2 inches).

Longevity - This species lives to be between 5-8 years old in captivity. Frequent handling - especially during the day - will seriously reduce the life span because it is extremely stressful.

Diet - Juveniles - fruit flies, pinhead crickets, other small insects; Adults - small crickets.

 

 

 

Tree Frog, White's  - Litorea caerulea
 

Rating 1 - care is relatively easy and they are hardier than most tree frogs. This species is an excellent choice as a starter frog.

Adult Size - Females attain snout-vent lengths of between 10 cm (4 inches). Males are slightly smaller. White's tree frogs are unusually placid and easy to manage frogs.

Longevity - This species is a long lived amphibian with captives reaching as much as 20 years of age!

Diets - Juveniles - fruit flies, pinhead crickets, other small insects; Adults - crickets.