('Dizzy', a green tree frog)
Green tree frogs: they're placid, they're often green, and from my experience, they make a great pet. As you'd expect from their name, they spend some of their life in trees. The green tree frog loves high places (the higher the better.) Under the lid of my vivarium, my green tree frogs spend most of their time. Put them on the ground, and within a minute most will be scampering up the nearest tree branch to the top of the enclosure.
They're beautiful creatures.
Above you'll see another two of my gtf's. The one in the centre is Goldy, and the other on the right is Legs. Leg's is honing his croaking bit by bit. I spray him when it gets warm, and if he really gets into it, it's quite loud.
(Above: Spotty.)
The frogs are a mix of green tree frogs from across Australia. Some are from Victoria, while others are rescued tree frogs from Queensland, that came down to N.S.W on trucks. Some are flecked with white spots, while some that I've had turned bluey green when they felt like it. I find that the hotter it gets, the more likely a green tree frog will turn to a dark olive colour.
The frogs eat voraciously, and when they do catch their prey, you'll often see them use their eyeballs to force down the meal. As a rule of thumb, green tree frogs will eat anything that moves and that can fit into their mouth. This includes insects like crickets, spiders, roaches and moths. As frogs, they drink water through their skin, and if it gets a little dry, they'll secrete a mucus to encoat their skin (thus preventing dessication.)
(Above: Big Head)
Green tree frogs are poikiothermic, meaning they are cold-blooded and rely on their surroundings for body warmth. I use to have my tank in a protected area of a garden room, but it was too cold. If your frogs are sluggish, they'll need some warmth, either natural or via an infra-red globe. I moved mine to a semi-sunny position and it solved all the problems.
Take into consideration when housing green tree frogs that you have a well ventilated vivarium for them. Those glass lids on a standard aquarium can make a lethal cook-box for a frog, especially as the temperature climbs.
Below is my frog vivarium.
The males of the species make a 'crawk...crawk' sound during breeding season. This is an mp3 file of Spotty croaking. It's a bit long, I apologise for that, but it should give you an idea of what they sound like. You may also be interested to know that females of the species also make a sound. Sometimes it's a sort of a yelp, other times, it's a couple of croaks; like the males, but usually only after something they don't fancy has landed on them.
(Frog by itself: Hugh)
(Above from left: Hugh, then Dizzy and Goldy underneath.)
The main question one might ask themself is, where do I get a green tree frog?
First. The frog licence. Here is a link to those of you who want frogs but haven't as yet got the legal paperwork : Amphibian Keeper's licence (N.S.W, unsure of other states.)
In New South Wales, pet stores don't sell frogs because they're not allowed to, but you can get a frog or two from a local frog group, such as FATS or SOFAR (N.S.W) and interstate people who advertise on websites such as Australian Pet Link, Tradingpost and various online pet stores. (A great website which I recommend is www.frogs-for-sale.com). During the warmer months (around December onwards) they sell baby frogs of various species.
Frog update:
I've kept frogs now for about three and a half years. In that time, Hugh, regretfully passed away. He ate ravenously and actually died from over-eating. Green tree frogs eat a lot; only a few, like Dizzy, don't over-eat. Some of my frogs are overweight, and others are normal weight. I am currently monitoring their weight and am not feeding them too much because they put on 'bulge' quite easily. As a general rule, try to cut-back on the meal portions for green tree frogs, if you see them get too fat.
Also, talking of an aim of mine, and probably of many frog-keepers... I have a small outdoor enclosure for when spring/summer comes. I am hoping to successfully breed my seven adult frogs (two females, four males, and one 'undecided' because I have had a hard time figuring what gender he/she is. That's Big Head...)
With breeding, I think it's crucial you have frogs that are well old enough to breed. I failed last year because I think my females weren't old enough. I'd make sure your female green tree frogs are at least two years old and preferably older. There are many factors involved in getting frogs to breed (rainfall - simulated or real, humidity and ambient temperatures needing to be warm, and perhaps even having a few pairs of frogs to begin with, because they may not breed in isolation.) My only experience was at a camping ground one evening, when down at the river we found a mass of 'slimey' green tree frogs; most of whom were in amplexus.
I must also mention how loud green tree frogs can get when calling. If you have a calling match between males, (which can go on and off for hours), they can be louder than dogs barking. I kid you not. An enclosure or frog tank away from your neighbours is advisable.
If I'm successful breeding frogs this year, I'll post some photos and give some clues that will hopefully help illuminate, what I think, is an elusive endeavour. (Well, to me that is!)
(Dizzy)