White's Tree Frog (Honey)
Pelodryas caerulea
The highly desirable Honey morph. An Australian selective mutation that transforms the frog's typical skin tones into a soft, bright, glowing honey-yellow.
Ambiente
Terrestre
Umidade
50 - 70 %
Temperatura diurna
24 - 28 °C
Temperatura noturna
18 - 22 °C
UVB
Ferguson 2
UVI
0,7 - 1 UVI
Descrição da espécie
'Honey' morph. Selective Australian mutation that turns skin tones towards a soft, bright honey-yellow.:
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Species native to the warm tropical forests and arid savannas of Australia and Indonesia. Unlike fragile Amazonian frogs, they are incredibly adaptable, capable of tolerating the Australian drought by holing up in the damp crevices of hollow trees or, very often, in the bathrooms and cisterns of human dwellings (which is why they are also called 'Toilet frogs').
Taxonomy and Genetics: Placed in the Pelodryadidae family. Australian specimens tend to grow much larger and frequently display enchanting snow-like white speckles on their back (the popular 'Snowflake' morph). There is a highly sought-after captive color mutation, the 'Blue' morph, where the frog loses yellow pigment, appearing bright turquoise or cerulean blue.
Behavior and Habits: Crepuscular and nocturnal frogs with a placid and 'lazy' temperament. By day they sleep wedged in the high corners of the glass or in bamboo tubes. They possess unparalleled docility: they do not jump frantically, preferring to walk heavily and allowing handling without panic. Males croak with a very loud, low barking noise (similar to a dog) when it rains or if they hear a vacuum cleaner.
Morphology: Their appearance is comical and charming: a chubby, mint green or bright blue body, smooth 'rubbery' skin, a perpetual smile, and enormous fatty crests that fold over their eyes (the supra-tympanic ridges), making them look old and wise. They reach 4-5 inches (10-12 cm) in length, with females growing significantly bulkier. They have giant adhesive toe pads for walking on glass.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Terrarium Setup: Demand vertically oriented glass terrariums (e.g. 18x18x24 inches for a pair). Branches must be very thick (large bamboo poles or PVC) because the adult animal is very heavy and would snap the thin branches typical for agile tree frogs. Broad-leafed plants (Monstera, Ficus) will provide excellent daytime shelter.
Lighting and Heating: Being Australian, they tolerate heat well. Optimal daytime temperatures are between 75°F and 82°F (24-28°C), with a warm basking spot of 86°F (30°C). At night the temperature can drop to 68-72°F (20-22°C). The use of a weak UVB lamp (5%) is highly recommended to promote bone strength in these heavy amphibians.
Humidity and Hydration: Unlike dart frogs, a constant 80-90% humidity will kill them with bacterial infections. They prefer a drier environment (50-60%) with transient evening humidity spikes. Air circulation is vital. They must ALWAYS have access to a large bowl of pure water, changed daily, because White's tree frogs use it as a toilet for their massive organic waste.
Feeding and Supplementation: They are proverbial living black holes. They will eat anything that moves in front of their mouth: crickets, huge locusts, roaches, and earthworms. Adults should only be offered meals every 2-3 days. Gut-loading prey and bi-weekly dusting with calcium and D3 is imperative. Beware of mice (pinkies): they cause lethal impaction or obesity and should be avoided entirely.
Compatibility: Excellent for keeping in small stable groups, being very tolerant and non-territorial animals. Beware of size differences: an adult White's will swallow a baby frog if the size difference allows it (accidental cannibalism).
Health and Common Diseases: Morbid obesity is the number one killer: owners tend to overfeed them due to their perpetual appetite, leading them to develop fatty crests so gigantic they blind them (the fat covers the eyes) and causing early heart attacks. Susceptible to Red Leg Syndrome if kept in soggy, feces-soiled terrariums.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
Species native to the warm tropical forests and arid savannas of Australia and Indonesia. Unlike fragile Amazonian frogs, they are incredibly adaptable, capable of tolerating the Australian drought by holing up in the damp crevices of hollow trees or, very often, in the bathrooms and cisterns of human dwellings (which is why they are also called 'Toilet frogs').
Origem
Melhoramento seletivo e cultivaresAmazônia, Orinoco e GuianasSul e Sudeste AsiáticoLeste AsiáticoAustrália, Nova Guiné e Oceania
Perfil anfíbio
- Dieta
- Insectivore
- White's Tree Frogs have a voracious appetite and will eat almost any insect that fits in their mouth, including crickets, roaches, and worms. Occasional pinky mice can be offered to large adults, but sparingly to avoid obesity. All prey should be dusted with calcium and vitamins regularly.
- Expectativa de vida
- 10-20 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 10 cm
- Estilo de vida/Microhabitat
- Arboreal
- Highly arboreal, they require a tall terrarium with plenty of sturdy climbing branches, vines, and broad-leaved plants. They need a moderate to high humidity environment but must have good ventilation to prevent respiratory issues. A large, clean water bowl is essential for soaking.
- Ciclo de atividades
- Nocturnal
- Primarily nocturnal, they become active at night to hunt for food and explore. During the day, they prefer to rest on branches, broad leaves, or the glass of the enclosure. A clear day/night light cycle is important for their well-being.
- Socialidade
- Gregarious
- They are known for their docile, laid-back nature and amusing, often clumsy antics. They are highly adaptable and tend to sit out in the open during the day, making them excellent display pets. They can become quite tame and tolerate occasional interaction better than most amphibians.
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- Breeding is typically triggered by a cooling period followed by heavy simulated rainfall. Males develop nuptial pads and emit a loud, barking call to attract females. Females lay large clutches of eggs in still water, and the tadpoles develop rapidly.
- Toxicidade
- Harmless
- Like most tree frogs, the Honey White's Tree Frog is completely non-toxic and poses no danger to humans. They do not possess the venom glands found in some other amphibian species. However, their skin can secrete mild protective substances that might cause slight irritation if they come into contact with a person's eyes or mucous membranes. It is always recommended to wash hands thoroughly before and after handling to protect both the frog's sensitive skin and the handler. Overall, they are considered entirely safe pets.
- Estágio de vida
- Metamorphosis
- The life cycle begins as an aquatic tadpole, which undergoes metamorphosis over several weeks to become a juvenile froglet. As juveniles, the Honey morph grows rapidly and requires frequent feeding to support its development into the adult stage. Adulthood is typically reached between one and two years of age, at which point their growth rate slows significantly. With proper care, adults can live for 15 years or more in captivity, making them a long-term commitment. Senior frogs may become less active and require adjustments to their diet to prevent weight gain.
- Tolerância de tratamento
- Tolerant
- The Honey White's Tree Frog is one of the few amphibian species that tolerates handling relatively well, making them popular among hobbyists. However, handling should still be kept to a minimum to avoid stressing the animal or damaging its delicate, permeable skin. Before handling, the keeper must ensure their hands are clean, free of soaps or lotions, and slightly moistened with dechlorinated water. It is best to let the frog climb onto your hand rather than grabbing it, and they should be held close to a surface to prevent injury from a sudden leap. Over-handling can lead to severe stress and should be avoided.
- Brumação
- Não obrigatório
- True brumation is generally not required or recommended for the captive Honey Litoria caerulea unless breeding is the specific goal. For regular keeping, maintaining stable, warm temperatures year-round is the safest and most effective approach. If a cooling period is desired to stimulate breeding, temperatures should be gradually lowered over a few weeks while reducing feeding frequency. The enclosure must still be monitored closely during this time to ensure the frogs do not lose excessive weight or show signs of illness. Once the cooling period is over, temperatures and feeding are slowly returned to normal to trigger reproductive behaviors.
- Muda
- Periodic
- Like all amphibians, the Honey White's Tree Frog sheds its skin regularly to accommodate growth and maintain skin health. This process often goes unnoticed by the keeper, as it typically occurs at night or in the early morning hours. During shedding, the frog will contort its body, repeatedly yawning and wiping its face with its limbs to loosen the old skin. The frog will then consume the shed skin, which is a completely natural behavior that recycles valuable nutrients. A healthy frog will shed completely and quickly; retained shed is usually a sign of inadequate humidity or underlying health issues.
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