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Taylor's Bug-eyed Frog
Theloderma stellatum
Taylor's Bug-eyed Frog is a miniature marvel with striking starry patterns and huge eyes. It is highly nocturnal and arboreal, preferring a specialized setup with water-filled tree cavities to thrive.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Rhacophoridae
Subfamily:Rhacophorinae
Genus:Theloderma
Species:Theloderma stellatum
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
80 - 90 %
Day temperature
23 - 25 °C
Night temperature
20 - 21 °C
Ambient temperature
23 - 25 °C
Minimum enclosure
>= 45 L
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the primary and secondary tropical rainforests of Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. An arboreal and nocturnal species, it hides in water-filled tree cavities, waterlogged bamboo nodes, or damp rock crevices.
Taxonomy and Genetics: A miniature, warty frog growing to 3.5 cm. The skin is highly textured, mimicking moss, lichens, and rough bark. The color pattern is a mosaic of reddish-brown and dark mahogany, dotted with pale, star-shaped warts. It has large, bulging eyes.
Behavior and Habits: Cryptic and inactive during the day, flattening itself against bark or rocks to blend in. At night, it becomes active, swimming or foraging for small insects. Males emit a short, metallic whistle near water-filled cavities to court females.
Morphology: Females are broader and larger than males, especially when gravid. Males are smaller and possess a vocal sac used for calling.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a vertical paludarium or heavily planted forest terrarium (minimum 45x45x60 cm). Furnish with hollow cork tubes, thick branches, and vertical bamboo poles to simulate tree hollows. Include a large, deep water section containing tannins (from catappa leaves).
Lighting and Heating: Keep temperatures mild (23–25°C). They are sensitive to heat; temperatures above 28°C can cause fatal heat stroke. Nighttime drop to 20–21°C is ideal. Provide low-intensity 5% UVB, but ensure plenty of shade as they are light-sensitive.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain high humidity (80–90%) with daily misting of declorinated or RO water. Ensure good ventilation to prevent bacterial infections (red leg syndrome). The water section must be kept clean and rich in natural tannins.
Feeding and Supplementation: Nocturnal predators. Feed them small to medium crickets, fruit flies, and roaches. Dust prey with calcium and vitamin D3 supplements three times a week to support bone health.
Compatibility: Peaceful and gregarious. They can be housed in small groups. They do not tolerate mixing with other species, and any small insects falling into the water will be eaten.
Health and Common Diseases: Avoid unnecessary handling as it causes severe stress (they may play dead, known as thanatosis). Skin oils and chemicals are toxic. Keep the terrarium in a quiet, cool room, and maintain strict water hygiene.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to the primary and secondary tropical rainforests of Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos. An arboreal and nocturnal species, it hides in water-filled tree cavities, waterlogged bamboo nodes, or damp rock crevices.
Origin
North AmericaSouth and Southeast Asia
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- No verified data available
- 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
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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