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Clown Tree Frog
Dendropsophus leucophyllatus
The clown tree frog is an arboreal amphibian from the Amazon basin, famous for its spectacular contrast of colors and nocturnal habits.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Hylidae
Subfamily:Dendropsophinae
Genus:Dendropsophus
Species:Dendropsophus leucophyllatus
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
70 - 90 %
Day temperature
24 - 28 °C
Night temperature
22 - 24 °C
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species is native to the Amazon Basin of South America, distributed across Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and the Guianas. It inhabits tropical lowland rainforests, secondary woodlands, and warm wetland zones. It is a strictly arboreal species, living in the mid-to-high canopy vegetation surrounding temporary ponds, slow-moving streams, and forest lakes, where it descends primarily to breed during the warm rainy season.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Dendropsophus leucophyllatus belongs to the family Hylidae, genus Dendropsophus. It is part of a complex of closely related species that exhibit significant geographic variation in color patterns. Genetic studies suggest relative phylogenetic stability across its main distribution, although debates continue regarding the taxonomic status of certain regional color morphs. It is classified as 'Least Concern' on the IUCN Red List.
Behavior and Habits: Strictly nocturnal and arboreal. During the day, it remains completely motionless, adhering to smooth leaves to camouflage itself, keeping its eyes tightly closed and limbs tucked beneath its body. At dusk, it becomes active, climbing agilely through the branches in search of prey. Males produce melodic advertisements calls consisting of a primary note followed by several short trills to attract females to the water's edge at night.
Morphology: Features a slender, elegant body build with large, prominent eyes showing horizontal pupils and well-developed adhesive toe pads for climbing smooth surfaces. Size is modest: males measure approximately 2.5-3.5 cm in snout-vent length, while females are larger, reaching 4-5 cm. The coloration is striking: a dark brown or black base with large, geometric patches of white, cream, or bright yellow on the back and head, and bright orange-pink flash colors on the hidden parts of the legs.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a vertically oriented terrarium (vertical tank) with minimum dimensions of 45x45x60 cm for a small group of 3-4 specimens. The enclosure should be decorated with broad, smooth-leaved live plants (such as Pothos, Philodendron, and Guzmania bromeliads) to provide diurnal sleeping spots. Arrange bamboo poles or cork branches vertically and horizontally. The substrate should consist of damp coco coir topped with moist sphagnum moss to retain humidity. Avoid small gravel or pebbles that could be accidentally swallowed.
Lighting and Heating: As a nocturnal amphibian, intense lighting is not required. However, installing a low-output (2% or 5%) linear UVB bulb is recommended to support natural circadian rhythms and calcium metabolism. Maintain daytime temperatures between 24°C and 27°C (75-80°F), with a localized basking area of 28°C (82°F). Nighttime temperatures should drop to 20-22°C (68-72°F). Use a thermostat-controlled heat mat mounted on the outside back or side wall.
Humidity and Hydration: High relative humidity is critical, ranging between 70% and 85%. Mist the enclosure twice daily (morning and evening) with declorinated or reverse osmosis water. Provide a wide, shallow water dish on the substrate floor containing fresh, declorinated water, as tree frogs absorb moisture through their semi-permeable pelvic patch. Deep water must be avoided to prevent drowning.
Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly insectivorous. Feed live insects of appropriate size (no larger than the width between the frog's eyes), such as small crickets, fruit flies (Drosophila hydei), freshly molted mealworms, and small roaches. Dust prey insects with pure calcium carbonate at every feeding, and add a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement once a week.
Compatibility: A peaceful, social species that coexists well in small groups of similarly sized individuals. Do not house with larger or aggressive amphibians that might prey on them, or with terrestrial species requiring different environmental parameters. Avoid overcrowding to prevent stress and disease transmission.
Health and Common Diseases: Highly sensitive to dehydration and bacterial skin infections (such as red leg disease) due to poor hygiene or stagnant air. Enclosures must have adequate ventilation (dual-mesh screens are ideal). Other common issues include Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) due to calcium deficiency and internal parasites. Handle frogs only when absolutely necessary, always using wet hands or powder-free nitrile gloves.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This species is native to the Amazon Basin of South America, distributed across Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, and the Guianas. It inhabits tropical lowland rainforests, secondary woodlands, and warm wetland zones. It is a strictly arboreal species, living in the mid-to-high canopy vegetation surrounding temporary ponds, slow-moving streams, and forest lakes, where it descends primarily to breed during the warm rainy season.
Origin
Amazon, Orinoco, and Guianas
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 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 5 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 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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