White's Tree Frog (Snowflake)
Pelodryas caerulea
The stunning Snowflake morph. Its plump, mint-green body is heavily peppered with fascinating white flakes and polka dots, resembling resting snow.
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
'Snowflake' morph. The mint green body is peppered with fascinating white flakes and polka dots, like resting snow.:
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
- 12 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
- The "Snowflake" morph is a captive-bred color mutation and is completely non-toxic, posing absolutely no danger to humans or other pets. While their skin secretes mild, naturally occurring peptides to defend against bacterial infections, these are entirely harmless to handlers. It is crucial, however, to wash hands thoroughly before handling to protect the frog from human skin oils and soaps.
- Estágio de vida
- Metamorphosis
- The aquatic tadpoles are robust omnivores that require a varied diet and excellent water quality to successfully undergo metamorphosis. The juvenile froglets grow astonishingly fast, requiring heavy calcium supplementation to support their rapidly expanding skeletal frames. Adult "Snowflake" frogs are large, heavy, and exhibit striking, variable white speckling across their green or teal bodies, making them highly sought-after display animals.
- Tolerância de tratamento
- Tolerant
- They are highly tolerant of gentle, occasional handling and generally do not exhibit the extreme stress responses seen in more delicate amphibian species. However, handling must always be done with clean, thoroughly moistened hands to protect their highly permeable skin from chemical damage. Brief handling sessions are required to prevent the frog from absorbing excess heat from human hands, which can lead to rapid dehydration.
- Brumação
- Não obrigatório
- They originate from warm, tropical environments and do not require or undergo a true brumation period in captivity. They thrive in consistent, moderate tropical temperatures year-round, ideally between 75°F and 82°F. While they can tolerate brief drops in temperature by becoming inactive, prolonged exposure to cold will suppress their immune system and lead to severe illness.
- Muda
- Periodic
- Regular shedding is a crucial biological process that allows for their rapid growth and maintains the health and permeability of their skin. The frog will often soak in its water dish to loosen the skin before stretching, yawning widely, and consuming the old skin entirely. Maintaining adequate terrarium humidity and providing a large water source are critical to ensure the skin sloughs off completely and easily.
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