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Mediterranean tree frog
Hyla meridionalis
Hyla meridionalis is a medium-sized tree frog native to southwestern Europe and North Africa. Highly robust and straightforward to keep, it requires a humid, well-ventilated terrarium.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Hylidae
Subfamily:Hylinae
Genus:Hyla
Species:Hyla meridionalis
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
50 - 80 %
Day temperature
24 °C
Night temperature
16 - 18 °C
Ambient temperature
24 °C
Minimum enclosure
>= 45 L
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat:
Hyla meridionalis, commonly known as the Mediterranean tree frog, is native to the coastal regions of southwestern Europe, including southern France, the Iberian Peninsula, northwestern Italy (Liguria), and the Balearic Islands, as well as coastal North Africa and the Canary Islands. It inhabits humid environments such as reed beds, pond margins, slow-flowing streams, wet gardens, and orchards. It is highly arboreal, climbing trees, bushes, and riparian vegetation up to moderate altitudes.
Taxonomy and Genetics:
Belonging to the family Hylidae, it is closely related to the European tree frog (Hyla arborea). It genetically diverged due to geographic isolation and is distinguished by its dark lateral stripe, which starts at the nostril and stops abruptly behind the eye, never continuing down the flanks. No consolidated subspecies are recognized, though the Canary Islands populations show minor genetic divergence.
Behavior and Habits:
This amphibian is primarily crepuscular and nocturnal. During the day, it remains completely motionless and camouflaged on the underside of large leaves to minimize skin moisture loss. During the spring breeding season, males congregate near water bodies and call with a very loud, low-pitched croaking sound produced by a large vocal sac under the throat, which is audible from great distances.
Morphology:
It features a slender body with smooth skin that is typically a uniform, vibrant bright green on the back, though it can change to gray or brown depending on temperature and humidity. The belly is white or cream. The fingers and toes end in specialized adhesive discs that allow for exceptional climbing on smooth surfaces like glass. Adults measure between 5 and 6 centimeters in length.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup:
Requires a vertically oriented terrarium of at least 45x45x60 cm for a small group. The enclosure should be heavily planted with broad-leaved live plants (such as Philodendron or Ficus) and furnished with climbing branches of various diameters. The ideal substrate is damp coconut fiber or peat moss topped with sphagnum moss to retain moisture. A shallow, clean water dish is mandatory.
Lighting and Heating:
Prefers moderate temperatures between 20°C and 24°C during the day, with a nighttime drop to 16-18°C. No intense heating is required; during winter, they can tolerate cooler temperatures (10-12°C) to simulate a natural winter rest. A low-output UVB lamp (2.0% or 5.0% UVB) turned on for 10 hours a day is recommended to support bone health.
Humidity and Hydration:
Relative humidity must be kept between 60% and 80% by misting the enclosure daily with dechlorinated or reverse osmosis water, preferably in the morning and evening. Amphibians absorb water through their highly permeable skin, making a clean water bowl (changed daily with chlorine-free water) vital for proper hydration.
Feeding and Supplementation:
An opportunistic insectivorous predator. The diet should consist of small live insects such as crickets, flies, small roaches, and occasionally mealworms. All prey items must be dusted with pure calcium at every feeding and with calcium + vitamin D3 twice a week. Feed in the evening when the frogs are active.
Compatibility:
Can be housed in small groups of the same species, provided all individuals are of similar size to prevent cannibalism. Do not house with other amphibian or reptile species to prevent pathogen transmission and territorial stress. Note that males can call very loudly during the night, especially in spring.
Health and Common Diseases:
Amphibians have highly sensitive skin that easily absorbs chemical contaminants; never use soap or household disinfectants inside the enclosure. Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) is a risk if calcium or UVB lighting is neglected. Poor hygiene or water logging can lead to bacterial or fungal skin infections (such as chytridiomycosis).
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Hyla meridionalis, commonly known as the Mediterranean tree frog, is native to the coastal regions of southwestern Europe, including southern France, the Iberian Peninsula, northwestern Italy (Liguria), and the Balearic Islands, as well as coastal North Africa and the Canary Islands. It inhabits humid environments such as reed beds, pond margins, slow-flowing streams, wet gardens, and orchards. It is highly arboreal, climbing trees, bushes, and riparian vegetation up to moderate altitudes.
Origin
North AmericaAfrica and MadagascarEurope, Mediterranean, and West Asia
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 6.5 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 6.5 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 6.5 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.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
