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Uluguru forest tree frog
Leptopelis uluguruensis
An Endangered tree frog with huge eyes endemic to the Uluguru Mountains, requiring strictly managed cool temperatures and high humidity.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Arthroleptidae
Subfamily:Leptopelinae
Genus:Leptopelis
Species:Leptopelis uluguruensis
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
80 - 95 %
Day temperature
22 °C
Night temperature
17 °C
Ambient temperature
22 °C
Minimum enclosure
>= 45 L
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This amphibian species is endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania, specifically the Uluguru Mountains. It inhabits pristine montane rainforests at elevations between 900 and 1800 meters. It is primarily found in riparian vegetation along fast-flowing mountain streams, waterfalls, and very humid forest areas where fog is frequent and temperatures remain cool year-round.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Leptopelis uluguruensis belongs to the family Arthroleptidae. The genus Leptopelis comprises African forest frogs known for their large, prominent eyes. The genetic isolation of this species on the peaks of the Uluguru Mountains has resulted in a distinct, vulnerable population, listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to montane forest habitat loss.
Behavior and Habits: It is a strictly nocturnal and arboreal amphibian. It spends the day hidden under wet leaves or in dense bushes near streams. At night, it becomes active, climbing low branches to hunt for small insects. Males emit a characteristic mating call, sounding like a short metallic 'clack', to attract females during the breeding season.
Morphology: It has a compact, robust body with exceptionally large, bulging eyes that feature vertical pupils typical of frogs in this genus. Females are larger than males, reaching approximately 4.5-5 cm in length, while males measure around 3-3.5 cm. The dorsal color is variable, often emerald green or greenish-brown with scattered small white spots, while the belly is translucent with bluish tones.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: It requires a vertically oriented medium-sized terrarium (at least 45x45x60 cm for a pair). It should simulate a damp montane rainforest, utilizing live broad-leaved plants (such as Bromeliads or Pothos), branches, and bark for climbing. The substrate must be free-draining, consisting of a drainage layer of clay balls covered by damp peat and sphagnum moss.
Lighting and Heating: It does not require intense lighting; a very low-output UVB lamp (2.0) is recommended to support natural cycles. Being a montane species, it prefers cool temperatures and suffers under high heat. Daytime temperatures must be kept between 20°C and 23°C, with a nighttime drop to 16°C-18°C. Constant temperatures above 25°C can cause lethal thermal stress.
Humidity and Hydration: Humidity must be kept consistently very high, between 80% and 95%, replicating the foggy conditions of montane forests. Frequent, heavy daily misting (preferably automated) is essential, using reverse osmosis water to avoid calcium deposits on leaves and the frogs' sensitive skin. A shallow bowl of clean, fresh water should always be available.
Feeding and Supplementation: The diet is insectivorous and should include small live insects such as crickets, fruit flies (Drosophila), small roaches, and mealworms suited to the frog's mouth size. Feeders must be dusted with pure calcium twice a week, and with calcium plus D3 and an amphibian multivitamin once a week to prevent nutritional bone disease.
Compatibility: It is best to keep these frogs individually or in compatible pairs. Males may display vocal territoriality and stress each other in confined spaces. Cohabitation with other reptile or amphibian species is strongly discouraged due to their very specific cool temperature requirements and the risk of disease transmission.
Health and Common Diseases: As a delicate and threatened wild-derived species, captive specimens are highly sensitive. Common illnesses include skin infections from opportunistic bacteria in poorly maintained terrariums, internal parasites, and dehydration from sudden humidity drops. Chytridiomycosis is a severe fungal threat; ensuring captive-bred origin is crucial.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This amphibian species is endemic to the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania, specifically the Uluguru Mountains. It inhabits pristine montane rainforests at elevations between 900 and 1800 meters. It is primarily found in riparian vegetation along fast-flowing mountain streams, waterfalls, and very humid forest areas where fog is frequent and temperatures remain cool year-round.
Origin
North AmericaAfrica and Madagascar
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 4.8 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 4.8 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 4.8 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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