Dumpy Tree Frog

Litoria caerulea

Dumpy Tree Frogs or White's Tree Frogs are a Tree Frog species native to Australia and Southern New Guinea. These frogs are easy to care for and make great beginner pets for first time owners. In captivity Dumpy Tree Frogs can live up to 15 years and reach a size of 3-5 inches with the females being larger than the males.

Temperament

White’s Tree Frogs are friendly and often live near humans in the wild. They got the name Dumpy Tree Frogs because of their pudgy bodies and bulges above their heads. Their colors range from bright green to teal blue, and sometimes purple. There's a special morph called Snowflake that has lots of white spots. These frogs are hardy, don't jump much, and make great pets for beginners.

Husbandry

  • Temperature

    75-80 degrees Fahrenheit for daytime temps.

    70-75 degrees Fahrenheit for nighttime temps

    Heat can be supplied via a low wattage basking bulb or a ceramic heat emitter for a non light emitting heat source. A thermometer and a dimmer is highly recommended to avoid overheating the frogs.

  • Humidity

    LOW - 30 - 50%

    Dumpy frogs do not need high humidity aside from the occasional spike from misting. However frogs under a year old benefit from a slightly higher humidity in the 50 - 60% range. Frogs kept in high humidity for too long run the risk of developing fungal infections which can be fatal. A hydrometer is recommended to keep an eye on the humidity levels.

  • Lighting

    5% UVB

    While UVB is not nescesarliy needed for Dumpy frogs it doesn't hurt to supply them with some via a low wattage UVB bulb. The lights should stay on for 12 hours and off for 12 hours.

  • Enclosure

    Dumpy frogs thrive in a arboreal setup with other Dumpies. The SMALLEST enclosure for two frogs is 40 gallons with 10 gallons added for any frogs added. PVC or Glass works well with PVC being preferred. The enclosure should be filled with lots of climbing branches and ledges with lush foliage and hides with a screen top lid.

  • Handling

    Dumpy tree frogs are pretty docile to being handled and are easy build trust. However it is strongly advised to wear powderless gloves when handling frogs to avoid giving the frogs issues from human skin contact. However avoid over handling the frogs to reduce stress.

Feeding your Frogs

Primarily Insectivores

Feeding Schedule

Dumpy Frogs have a temendous appitie and will eat anything that moves. Most have found that feeding their frogs every other day to be ideal. Older frogs can be fed with more gaps inbetween feedings. There is no set or rigid feeding schedule for dumpies, make sure to keep an eye on your frogs weight and adjust their feedings as needed. Due to Dumpy's aggressive feeding response it's reccomended to feed via tongs or dish over hunting to avoid the frogs from eating dirt, plants, or moss from missing the insect.

Supplement Schedule

Dumpies should be given three kinds of supplements in rotation:

Calcium

Calicum with Vitamin D

Multivitamins

Adult frogs should be given dusted insects once a week, juvieniles twice a week, and froglets should be given calicum powder every feeding to ensure proper growth. Calcium with Vitamin D is ideal to avoid Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) however it must be fed in rotation with regular Calcium as Vitamin D can cause problems if given too much.

Staple Feeders

Dumpy Frogs love a varied diet of insects. Great staple feeders include Crickets, Dubia Roaches, Nighcrawlers, and Silkworms however the latter are hard to find.

Hornworms and Butterworms can be given as treats however AVOID insects such as Superworms, Red-Wigglers, and Mealworms.

Insects should NEVER be wild caught and bought from local reptile shows or stores in person or online. Gutload insects before feeding and make sure the insects are NOT larger than the space between the frog's eyes.

Sources

All information has been gathered from the following:

Josh's Frogs

Reptifiles

Zilla

Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital

Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital of Louisiana