Tree frogs are fascinating creatures that have captured the imagination of nature enthusiasts around the world. With their acrobatic abilities, vibrant colors, and arboreal lifestyles, they have adapted to thrive in various habitats, from lush rainforests to arid woodlands. In this article, we’ll introduce you to 16 of the most popular tree frog species, their unique characteristics, and their potential suitability as pets.
1. Red-Eyed Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Agalychnis callidryas
Active: Primarily at night
Pet Suitability: They can be challenging to keep as pets due to their specific habitat requirements
A native of the Central American rainforest, the Red-Eyed Tree Frog is one of the most distinctive species due to its vibrant green body and red eyes. They have an incredible jumping ability and will start flashing their eyes to startle you if you disturb them, as a defensive mechanism. While they are an impressive species, they can be challenging to keep as pets due to their specific habitat requirements.
2. White’s Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Litoria caerulea
Active: Active at night and during the day
Pet Suitability: They make good pets with proper care
Hailing from Australia and Indonesia, White’s Tree Frog has a plump body with bright green or bluish coloration and an easy-to-recognize croaking call. Their docile temperament makes them great pets, and they are relatively easy to care for.
3. Blue Poison Dart Frog
Scientific Name: Dendrobates tinctorius
Active: Active during the day
Pet Suitability: They are not good pets due to their toxic skin secretions and specific care requirements
The Blue Poison Dart Frog is a stunningly beautiful species from South America. They’re easy to identify by their dark blue color, which warns potential predators that they are highly toxic, and they also have black spots on their head and back. Unfortunately, these frogs don’t make good pets due to their toxic skin secretions and specific care requirements.
4. Gray Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Hyla versicolor
Active: Active primarily at night
Pet Suitability: They are suitable as pets for experienced frog keepers
Native to North America, the Gray Tree Frog can change color from gray to green to blend in with their surroundings and prefers to stay near trees. After dusk, they emit a loud musical call to establish a breeding territory and find a mate. While they are suitable as pets for experienced frog keepers, they do have specific care requirements.
5. Green Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Hyla cinerea
Active: Active at night and during the day
Pet Suitability: They make good pets with proper care
The Green Tree Frog is native to the southeastern United States, and they prefer open canopy forests and permanent waters. They have a bright green coloration and distinctive call. They are hardy and adapt well to many different environments, which makes them good pets for the right owners.
6. Waxy Monkey Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Phyllomedusa sauvagii
Active: Active primarily at night
Pet Suitability: They are suitable as pets for experienced frog keepers
The Waxy Monkey Tree Frog from South America produces waxy skin secretions that give them a unique appearance and texture. They rarely hop and prefer to use their hands to climb around on treetops, which is how they got their name. The top of their body is a bright green color, while the bottom is brown or tan.
7. Amazon Milk Frog
Scientific Name: Trachycephalus resinifictrix
Active: Active at night and during the day
Pet Suitability: They are not good pets due to their specific care requirements
The Amazon Milk Frog is from the Amazon rainforest and has a bright green body with dark markings. They secrete a milky toxin that is poisonous to potential predators when threatened. They have special toe pads that help them climb plants and can carry 14 times their body weight. However, their specific habitat and dietary needs are challenging to replicate in captivity.
8. Barking Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Hyla gratiosa
Active: Active primarily at night
Pet Suitability: They are suitable as pets for experienced frog keepers
Native to the southeastern United States, the Barking Tree Frog got its name from its unique call that resembles a dog’s bark. They can change color from brown, gray, or yellow to various shades of green and have large tadpoles. They are adaptable and can make great pets for the right owners.
9. Vietnamese Mossy Frog
Scientific Name: Theloderma corticale
Active: Active primarily at night
Pet Suitability: They are suitable as pets for experienced frog keepers
The Vietnamese Mossy Frog adapts a moss-like appearance to blend in seamlessly with its environment. They are native to Vietnam and spend much of their time hiding underwater under rocks and vegetation. They can throw their voices more than 10 feet, which makes them challenging to find in the wild. While they are suitable as pets for experienced frog keepers, they do have specific care requirements.
10. Clown Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Dendropsophus leucophyllatus
Active: At night and during the day
Pet Suitability: They are suitable as pets for experienced frog keepers
The Clown Tree Frog from the rainforests of South America gets its name from the colors and patterns on its body that resemble a clown’s face. They have a raspy voice and can become more vocal as the barometric pressure declines, which can tip you off to an approaching storm.
11. Golden Poison Frog
Scientific Name: Phyllobates terribilis
Active: During the day
Pet Suitability: They are not good pets due to their toxic skin secretions and specific care requirements
The Golden Poison Frog from the rainforests of Colombia has a brilliant gold color and is one of the most toxic animals on earth. However, its numbers are rapidly declining due to the decimation of the rainforest. A single 2-inch frog has enough venom to kill 10 people, and the indigenous peoples of the area frequently coat the tips of their blowgun darts with the toxin when they hunt.
12. Splendid Leaf Frog
Scientific Name: Agalychnis spurrelli
Active: Primarily at night
Pet Suitability: They are not good pets due to their specific care requirements and limited availability
The Splendid Leaf Frog from the rainforests of Panama and Costa Rica has a unique leaf-like appearance and bulging eyes, making it a rare sight. Unfortunately, it can be hard to find one of these due to habitat destruction, so they won’t make a good choice for a pet.
13. Cuban Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Osteopilus septentrionalis
Active: Primarily at night
Pet Suitability: They are not good pets due to their invasive nature and potential impact on native ecosystems
The Cuban Tree Frog is native to Cuba and the Caribbean and is the largest tree frog in the United States, with an average length of 4 inches. The skin pattern is highly variable between individuals. They have a brown base color with a tan, yellow, or cream pattern, but other mixtures exist, including yellow, red, and black. Many people consider them an invasive species, so they’re not a good choice for a pet because they could damage the environment if they were to escape.
14. European Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Hyla arborea
Active: Primarily at night
Pet Suitability: They can make good pets with proper care
The European Tree Frog is a species found throughout Europe. They have a smooth green to yellow-brown skin with a dark stripe on either side of the body. Males have a bright yellow or green coloration during the breeding season. They can make good pets with proper care.
15. Japanese Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Hyla japonica
Active: At night and during the day
Pet Suitability: They can make good pets with proper care
The Japanese Tree Frog is native to Japan and Korea and is a popular pet choice in Japan. They have a green, brown, or grey body with a distinctive sound that has been described as a “ribbit” or “kurrick.” They can make good pets with proper care.
16. Northern Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Hyla arborea
Active: Primarily at night
Pet Suitability: They can make good pets with proper care
The Northern Tree Frog is native to Canada and the United States. They can change color from green to brown to match their surroundings, and they make a distinctive call that sounds like a “quonk.” They can make good pets with proper care.
In conclusion, tree frogs are fascinating creatures that come in a variety of colors and sizes. While some species are not suitable as pets due to their specific care requirements or potential toxicity, others can make great pets for experienced frog keepers. With proper care and attention, tree frogs can provide their owners with years of enjoyment.
