Encyclopaedia
AmphibianTerrestrialEasy
©AI Generated·Proprietary
Mexican Tree Frog
Smilisca baudinii
The Mexican Tree Frog is a robust, highly adaptable amphibian capable of surviving varying ecosystems. Easy to care for and bold, it enjoys a vertically structured environment with high ambient humidity.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Hylidae
Subfamily:Hylinae
Genus:Smilisca
Species:Smilisca baudinii
Share
Check out Mexican Tree Frog on Atlarium
Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
50 - 80 %
Day temperature
26 °C
Night temperature
20 - 22 °C
Ambient temperature
26 °C
Minimum enclosure
>= 45 L
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species is widely distributed across tropical Mesoamerica, ranging from southern Texas and Mexico down through Central America to Costa Rica. It inhabits diverse ecosystems, including seasonally dry forests, humid lowland woodlands, flooded savannas, and agricultural or suburban gardens. It is exceptionally resilient to dry seasons by retreating into damp crevices.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Hylidae and the genus Smilisca, it is commonly known as the Mexican Tree Frog or Baudin's Tree Frog. Genetic studies show unique adaptations that allow the species to minimize cutaneous water loss. The genetic structure remains stable across its geographical range despite the wide variety of climates it occupies.
Behavior and Habits: It is a nocturnal and primarily solitary animal during the non-breeding season. During the day, it sits quietly in a tightly compressed posture on tree trunks or branches to blend with the bark. During the wet season, however, males display intense social aggregation, forming loud, synchronized choruses near temporary pools to attract females.
Morphology: The coloration is highly cryptic and variable, ranging from light green to greyish-brown with darker blotches, often including a dark cross-like mark on the back. The underbelly is pale white. There is notable sexual dimorphism: adult females are significantly larger than males, reaching up to 9 cm, while males possess prominent vocal sacs that darken during the breeding season.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: An vertically oriented terrarium of at least 60x45x60 cm is required for a small group. Furnish the enclosure with thick branches, cork bark tubes, and sturdy live plants like Pothos or Monstera. A bio-active substrate with coco-coir, organic soil, and a drainage layer of clay balls is recommended, along with a wide shallow water bowl.
Lighting and Heating: Maintain a daytime ambient temperature between 25°C and 28°C, with a localized basking spot. Nighttime temperatures should drop to 20-22°C. A low-output (2-5%) UVB source is highly beneficial to support metabolic health and prevent bone deformities, functioning on a standard 12-hour photoperiod.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain relative humidity between 60% and 80%. Excellent cross-ventilation is mandatory to prevent stagnant air and pathogen buildup. Mist the enclosure daily with dechlorinated water, preferably in the evening to simulate natural dew, ensuring the surfaces dry out slightly during the day.
Feeding and Supplementation: A voracious feeder that accepts a variety of live insects, such as crickets, dubia roaches, and locusts. Prey items should be gut-loaded before feeding. Dust the food with pure calcium at every feeding, and add a calcium with D3 and multivitamin supplement twice a week to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Compatibility: Sturdy and peaceful when housed with conspecifics of similar size. However, due to their wide mouth and opportunistic nature, they will readily swallow any tankmate small enough to fit in their mouth. Keeping them in a single-species setup is highly recommended to avoid interspecies stress.
Health and Common Diseases: Prone to bacterial infections of the skin, such as red-leg syndrome, which is typically triggered by dirty water or inadequate ventilation. Snout rubbing can occur if the frog repeatedly jumps against the glass when startled. Minimize handling as human skin oils and soap residues are highly toxic to them.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
This species is widely distributed across tropical Mesoamerica, ranging from southern Texas and Mexico down through Central America to Costa Rica. It inhabits diverse ecosystems, including seasonally dry forests, humid lowland woodlands, flooded savannas, and agricultural or suburban gardens. It is exceptionally resilient to dry seasons by retreating into damp crevices.
Origin
Central America and CaribbeanNorth America
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 9 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 9 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 9 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.
