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AmphibianTerrestrialIntermediate
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Polka-dot Tree Frog
Boana punctata
The Polka-dot Tree Frog boasts translucent, vibrant green skin dotted with delicate red spots. A stunning nocturnal canopy dweller, it flourishes in high-humidity setups over a large water basin.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Hylidae
Subfamily:Cophomantinae
Genus:Boana
Species:Boana punctata
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
70 - 90 %
Day temperature
23 - 28 °C
Night temperature
20 - 23 °C
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Distributed throughout the humid primary rainforests, flooded savannas, and swampy margins of the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. It is an arboreal species that rests on broad leaves or reeds near slow-flowing rivers.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Hylidae. Formerly classified under the genus *Hyla*, it is now placed in *Boana*. Commonly known as the Polka-dot Tree Frog. Notable for being the first frog discovered to exhibit natural **fluorescence**, glowing bright green under UV light.
Behavior and Habits: Strictly nocturnal. During the day, they sleep flattened and camouflaged against green leaves. At night, they become active, climbing and jumping along branches to hunt. Males produce a metallic, cricket-like call.
Morphology: Slender, delicate tree frog reaching 3.5-4 cm in length. Features translucent lime-green skin (often allowing organs or eggs to be visible from below) dotted with white, yellow, or red spots. Eyes are large with golden irises. Females are rounder and larger than males.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a vertical, forest-style terrarium of at least 45x45x60 cm. Furnish with thin branches, vines, and broad-leaved live plants (Monstera, Pothos, Philodendron). Provide a shallow water dish at the bottom.
Lighting and Heating: Maintain tropical temperatures between 25-28°C during the day, with a night drop to 21-23°C. Avoid temperatures above 30°C. Provide 5% UVB lighting, which can also be used to observe their fluorescence.
Humidity and Hydration: Keep humidity levels high (70-80%) with daily misting using reverse osmosis water. Good ventilation is crucial to prevent stagnant conditions and bacterial infections (Red Leg disease).
Feeding and Supplementation: Insectivorous. Feeds on small insects like crickets, fruit flies, and small roaches. Dust prey with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements three times a week.
Compatibility: Peaceful and gregarious. Can be kept in small groups in sufficiently large setups. Avoid housing with larger or aggressive frog species.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly sensitive skin; avoid handling as human skin oils are toxic. Snout injuries can occur if they panic and jump against the glass. Maintain high hygiene standards.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Distributed throughout the humid primary rainforests, flooded savannas, and swampy margins of the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. It is an arboreal species that rests on broad leaves or reeds near slow-flowing rivers.
Origin
Amazon, Orinoco, and GuianasNorth America
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- No verified data available
- 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
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