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AmphibianTerrestrialIntermediate
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Roth's Tree Frog

Litoria rothii

Agile and slender, it is famous for its bright silver-gray coloration and the hidden scarlet red or yellow flash marks in its groin and armpits. Strictly nocturnal and highly vocal.

Taxonomy
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Pelodryadidae
Subfamily:Litoriinae
Genus:Litoria
Species:Litoria rothii
Environment

Terrestrial

Humidity

60 - 80 %

Day temperature

24 - 28 °C

Night temperature

20 - 24 °C

UVB

Low

Species description

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Widely distributed throughout the coastal wetlands, swamps, flooded mangroves, and wooded savannas of northern Australia, spanning from the Kimberley region to Queensland. This nocturnal, arboreal frog spends the day resting in tree hollows, bark crevices, or under branches to escape the sun and predators.
Taxonomy and Genetics: *Litoria rothii* is a medium-sized tree frog, reaching 4–5 cm in adult length. The dorsal skin is variable, shifting from silver-gray to brown or pale white, mimicking tree bark. The inner thighs, groin, and armpits feature bright yellow or scarlet red patches bordered with black (flash coloration used to startle predators). The digits end in large adhesive discs.
Behavior and Habits: Primarily active at night. During the day, they remain quiet and camouflaged on vertical surfaces. At night, they explore and hunt with agility. The species is famously called the "Northern Laughing Tree Frog" due to the male's loud breeding call, which resembles a deep, staccato monkey-like laugh.
Morphology: Mature females are larger, rounder, and heavier than males. Males are more slender and possess a dark, loose vocal sac under the throat that inflates during calling, along with small nuptial pads on their thumbs during the breeding season.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Terrarium Setup: Requires a vertically oriented forest terrarium (minimum 60x45x60 cm). Furnish the enclosure with thick branches, large pieces of cork bark, and live plants with broad leaves (like giant *Pothos*) to provide secure shelter. A large, shallow water area is essential. Use a proper bio-active substrate with a draining clay layer to prevent water stagnation and build-up of waste.
Lighting and Heating: Requires tropical to subtropical conditions, with daytime temperatures between 25–28°C. Ensure a warm basking area, but maintain good ventilation to avoid fatal heat stress in hot weather. Night temperatures should drop to 21–23°C. A 5% UVB light is highly beneficial to support bone density and prevent metabolic bone disease.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain high humidity levels (70–80%). High-quality ventilation (via mesh screens) is crucial, as stagnant humidity combined with waste can lead to deadly bacterial dermatosis ("red leg" syndrome). Mist the enclosure with dechlorinated water in the evening, allowing it to dry out during the day.
Feeding and Supplementation: Voracious insectivores with large mouths. They will readily consume crickets, locusts, and roaches. Dust the prey with a calcium, D3, and multivitamin supplement three times a week to prevent nutritional deficiencies and preserve their health.
Compatibility: Peaceful and social with similarly sized conspecifics. They can be housed in groups or harems. However, they will readily swallow smaller frogs, geckos, or insects due to their wide gape, so avoid housing them with smaller tankmates.
Health and Common Diseases: Generally robust, but highly sensitive to chemicals. Never handle them with bare hands, as soap residues can burn their skin. Startled frogs may leap into the glass, leading to snout abrasions that can become infected. Regular cleaning of the water bowl and enclosure is mandatory.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

Widely distributed throughout the coastal wetlands, swamps, flooded mangroves, and wooded savannas of northern Australia, spanning from the Kimberley region to Queensland. This nocturnal, arboreal frog spends the day resting in tree hollows, bark crevices, or under branches to escape the sun and predators.

Origin

Extra-Amazon South AmericaNorth AmericaAfrica and MadagascarEurope, Mediterranean, and West AsiaEast AsiaAustralia, New Guinea, and Oceania

Amphibian profile

Diet
Insectivore
Roth's Tree Frog is an insectivorous amphibian that hunts actively at night. Their diet primarily consists of a wide variety of flying and crawling insects, including moths, beetles, crickets, and spiders. In captivity, they thrive on a diet of gut-loaded crickets, roaches, and occasional mealworms dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements. They are ambush predators that rely on their excellent vision to detect prey movement before leaping to capture it.
Life expectancy
10-15 years
With proper care, the indicative life expectancy is 10-15 years.
Adult size
5.5 cm
The catalog's scalar value is 5.5 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 5.5 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.
Lifestyle/Microhabitat
Arboreal
This species is highly arboreal, spending the vast majority of its life in the trees and shrubs of its natural habitat. They are typically found in woodlands, open forests, and even suburban gardens where suitable water sources are present. Their flat body shape allows them to squeeze into tight crevices to escape predators and harsh weather conditions. They require an environment with high vertical space for climbing and exploring.
Activity cycle
Nocturnal
Roth's Tree Frogs are strictly nocturnal, remaining hidden during the heat of the day. They spend their daylight hours tucked away in tree hollows, beneath bark, or among thick vegetation to conserve moisture. As dusk approaches, they become active, emerging from their hiding spots to forage for food and vocalize. Their peak activity corresponds with high humidity levels and nighttime temperatures.
Sociality
Solitary
These frogs are generally docile but can be skittish when startled. They are known for their remarkable ability to camouflage, changing their skin coloration from light grey to dark brown depending on the temperature, humidity, and their surroundings. They use their strong, sticky toe pads to climb smooth surfaces and adeptly navigate through the canopy. They tend to be solitary outside of the breeding season.
Reproduction
Oviparous
Breeding usually takes place during the wet season, often following heavy rainfall. Males call from vegetation near water bodies to attract females, using a distinct, loud, laughing or chuckling call. Females lay clutches of several hundred eggs in temporary pools or slow-moving streams, which hatch into tadpoles within a few days. The tadpoles undergo metamorphosis over several weeks, depending on water temperature and food availability.
Toxicity
Harmless
When it comes to toxicity, this species is safe for humans, producing no dangerous skin toxins under normal conditions. It is always best practice to wash hands before and after any interactions. This protects the frog from harmful oils and the keeper from potential irritation.
Life stage
Their development features fast-growing tadpoles that turn into hardy, long-lived adult tree frogs. Providing the correct environmental parameters at each stage is vital for proper growth. Adult specimens can be incredibly rewarding to keep.
Handling tolerance
Display only
Handling should be should be avoided, but they are robust enough to tolerate brief transfers using wet hands. Amphibians have delicate, permeable skin that is easily damaged by dry hands or chemicals. Whenever possible, observe them without direct physical contact.
Brumation
Not required
Regarding brumation, this species tropical origin means no brumation is needed, just stable warm temperatures. It is important to research the exact temperature gradients required for your specific animal. Improper temperature drops can lead to severe health issues.
Molting
Periodic
The molting process is fascinating; it shedding is a brief, hidden process where the skin is stretched, peeled, and swallowed. High humidity is necessary to ensure the shed comes off cleanly without restricting toes or limbs. Retained shed is a sign of improper husbandry.

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.

Last updated: 08/10/2026
Roth's Tree Frog (Litoria rothii) Care Guide & Terrarium Setup | Atlarium