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AmphibianTerrestrialIntermediate
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Morelet's Leaf Frog
Agalychnis moreletii
A magnificent and endangered tree frog from Central America, characterized by large dark eyes and orange flanks. Requires highly ventilated vertical terrariums and high humidity.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Phyllomedusidae
Subfamily:Phyllomedusinae
Genus:Agalychnis
Species:Agalychnis moreletii
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
60 - 80 %
Day temperature
24 - 28 °C
Night temperature
20 - 23 °C
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to Central America, patchily distributed across southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. It inhabits humid montane and sub-montane rainforests, seasonal tropical forests, and foothill wetlands at elevations between 300 and 1500 meters. It lives primarily in the forest canopy and riparian vegetation close to temporary pools or slow-flowing streams.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Hylidae, subfamily Phyllomedusinae, genus Agalychnis. Described by Duméril in 1853. This species is classified as vulnerable or endangered in the wild (IUCN) due to habitat loss and the spread of the chytrid fungus. Genetically, it displays distinct populations shaped by the isolation of Central American mountain ranges.
Behavior and Habits: Strictly nocturnal and arboreal. During the day, it enters a state of deep sleep, flattening its body against the underside of leaves to camouflage and reduce water loss. At night, it becomes active to hunt and mate, moving with slow, deliberate steps among branches. Males emit distinct advertisement calls during the wet season to attract females.
Morphology: Features a slender, elegant body with long legs and large toe pads adapted for climbing. Males reach about 6.0-6.5 cm, while females are larger, reaching 7.5-8.0 cm in length. Its defining feature is the large, prominent eyes with vertical pupils and a dark, almost black iris. The dorsum is bright green, the flanks and inner thighs are bright orange-yellow, and the venter is white.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a vertically oriented terrarium (minimum 45x45x60 cm / 18x18x24 inches for a pair, preferably 60x45x90 cm). Ventilation is critical: the enclosure must have at least two mesh panels (front and top) to prevent stagnant air. Decorate with smooth climbing branches, cork bark, and sturdy large-leafed live plants (such as Pothos, Monstera, and Philodendron) to support their weight and provide daytime shelters.
Lighting and Heating: The ideal daytime temperature must range between 24°C and 27°C (75.2°F - 80.6°F), with a night drop to 20-22°C (68°F - 71.6°F). Use a ceramic heat emitter or a guarded spot lamp if heating is needed. Avoid night lighting. For daytime, provide LED lights for the plants and a 2.0% or 5.0% UVB lamp to support bone health.
Humidity and Hydration: Humidity should fluctuate between 60% and 80% during the day, peaking at 90-100% during the night. This is achieved by misting heavily in the evening before lights go out. Provide a large, shallow dish of fresh, dechlorinated water at the bottom; the water must be replaced daily as frogs use it for rehydration and defecation.
Feeding and Supplementation: A nocturnal insectivore. It feeds on crickets, roaches (such as Dubia), mealworms, and silkworms of appropriate size. Prey should be offered at night. It is crucial to dust insects with calcium and Vitamin D3 twice a week for adults, and a multivitamin containing preformed Vitamin A once a week to prevent metabolic bone disease.
Compatibility: A peaceful amphibian that can be kept in small groups of its own species, provided there is enough space. Do not house with other frog species or animals that could compete for food, transmit pathogens, or cause stress. Handling should be kept to a minimum, always using wet nitrile gloves.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly sensitive to chytridiomycosis (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis infection) and bacterial skin infections (red leg syndrome) caused by poor hygiene or inadequate ventilation. Metabolic bone disease is common if calcium and UVB supplementation is neglected. The terrarium must be spot-cleaned regularly to remove waste.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to Central America, patchily distributed across southern Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. It inhabits humid montane and sub-montane rainforests, seasonal tropical forests, and foothill wetlands at elevations between 300 and 1500 meters. It lives primarily in the forest canopy and riparian vegetation close to temporary pools or slow-flowing streams.
Origin
Central America and CaribbeanNorth America
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 8.5 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Toxicity
- No verified data available
- Life stage
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 8.5 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 8.5 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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