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Care sheet

White's Tree Frog

Litoria caerulea

Also known as: Australian Green Tree Frog, Dumpy Tree Frog

Hylidae · Anura

BeginnerIUCN LC
Activity
🌙 Nocturnal
Temperament
Docile
Adult length
3–4.5 in
Adult weight
40–100 g
Lifespan (captivity)
15–20 yrs
Native range
Northern and eastern Australia; New Guinea

Care guide

Overview

White's Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea) — Arguably the most beginner-friendly tree frog in the hobby. Hardy, forgiving of beginner husbandry mistakes, calm enough to tolerate occasional handling, and long-lived (15-20 years is normal). Their main problem is obesity — they'll eat anything they can fit in their mouth, and over-fed adults develop fat folds and shortened lifespans. Feed adults sparingly. Otherwise: vertical setup, branches, modest humidity (they tolerate drier conditions than most tropical frogs), shallow water dish.

Environment

Climate

Cool side
70–76 °F
Warm side
78–85 °F
Nighttime
65–72 °F
Humidity (ambient)
50–70%
Shed-cycle boost
70–80%

Environment

UVB lighting

Required?
Yes — provide UVB
Fixture type
T8
Replacement interval
Every 12 months

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation
Arboreal
Bioactive setup
Suitable
Minimum size by life stage
  • Hatchling5 gallon vertical / plastic deli cup
  • Juvenile12"L x 12"W x 18"H vivarium
  • Adult18"L x 18"W x 24"H vivarium per pair; larger for groups

Housing

Substrate

Depth
2–4 in
Safe options
coco fiberABG mixcypress mulchsphagnum moss
Avoid
sandgravelcedarpine

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type
Strict carnivore
Prey size by life stage
  • HatchlingPinhead crickets, fruit flies
  • JuvenileSmall to medium crickets, small dubia
  • AdultAdult crickets, dubia, hornworms; occasional pinky as treat
Feeding frequency by life stage
  • HatchlingDaily
  • JuvenileEvery 2-3 days
  • AdultEvery 5-7 days
Supplementation

Dust with calcium + D3 at most feedings for growing frogs, every other for adults; multivitamin weekly. White's tree frogs are notoriously prone to obesity — adults need restraint on feeding frequency and quantity, especially if rodents are offered.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Large shallow water dish for soaking. Chlorine-free water only.

Soaking behavior

Regular soakers — provide a generous shallow dish.

Defensive displays
very mild — these are exceptionally calm frogs

Legal & ecology

Conservation

IUCN Red List
LC · Least Concern

Genetics

Morphs

Morph market
Active
Complexity
Simple

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

  1. White's Tree Frog Care Guide

    ReptiFiles

    breeder community

    Multi-source hobby reference for Litoria caerulea with husbandry ranges.

    Published: 2023-01-01

  2. White's Tree Frog Care

    AmphibianCare.com

    breeder community

    Amphibian-keeping reference for Litoria caerulea.

    Published: 2021-01-01

  3. White's Tree Frog Care Sheet

    Josh's Frogs

    breeder

    Care sheet from a major captive-bred amphibian supplier.

    Published: 2023-01-01

White's Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea) care sheet — Herpetoverse