🐸 Red-Eyed Tree Frog Care Guide

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are stunning tropical amphibians, instantly recognisable by their bright red eyes, green bodies, orange feet and blue-and-yellow sides.

They are an arboreal species, meaning they spend much of their time climbing amongst branches and leaves rather than living on the ground.

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are mainly nocturnal, so don't be surprised if they spend much of the daytime sleeping on leaves and become active after the lights go out.

With the correct care, they can live for around 5–10 years, sometimes longer.

This guide covers the basics you need to keep your Red-Eyed Tree Frogs happy and healthy.

♂️♀️ How to Tell the Sex

Sexing Red-Eyed Tree Frogs can be difficult when they are young. The differences usually become much clearer as the frogs grow and reach maturity.

🐸 Males

Mature males generally:

• Remain smaller and slimmer than females
• Develop nuptial pads around the thumbs during breeding condition
• May call, particularly during the evening and at night
• Have a more slender overall appearance

🐸 Females

Mature females generally:

• Grow noticeably larger and heavier than males
• Have a broader and fuller body
• Do not normally develop the prominent nuptial pads seen in mature males
• Do not typically produce the mating calls associated with males

🔍 Size & Nuptial Pads

Adult size can provide a useful clue when comparing mature Red-Eyed Tree Frogs, as females are generally larger than males.

Mature males can also develop nuptial pads on their thumbs, which help them grip females during breeding.

Calling is another useful clue, as it is primarily the males that produce mating calls.

⚠️ Young Red-Eyed Tree Frogs

Young Red-Eyed Tree Frogs can be extremely difficult to sex accurately.

Size alone shouldn't be used to determine the sex of a juvenile, as individual growth rates can vary.

⚠️ Sexing Disclaimer

Please note that Roxy’s Pet Shop is unable to guarantee the sex of any livestock.

Where we provide a suggested sex, this is based on the animal’s visible characteristics, age and our experience at the time. Some animals can be particularly difficult to sex when young.

Any sex stated should therefore be treated as our best assessment and not a guarantee.

🏠 Housing & Vivarium

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs require a tall, well-ventilated tropical enclosure.

Because they are climbing frogs, height and usable climbing space are particularly important.

For a small group of adults, an enclosure of around 45cm wide × 45cm deep × 60cm high can provide a suitable starting point, with larger always being preferable.

The enclosure should include:

• Plenty of branches

• Broad-leaved plants

• Climbing opportunities

• Suitable substrate

• Clean water

• Appropriate heating where required

• UVB lighting

• Digital thermometer

• Digital hygrometer

• Good ventilation

Create a densely planted environment while still leaving enough room for the frogs to move and jump between branches.

🌡️ Temperature

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs require warm tropical conditions but should not be overheated.

Aim for daytime temperatures of approximately:

🌡️ 24–28°C

A gentle temperature drop overnight is natural, with temperatures around 20–24°C generally suitable.

Use reliable digital thermometers to monitor the enclosure.

Avoid extreme temperatures and sudden changes.

🔥 Heating & Thermostat

Depending on your room temperature, additional heating may be required.

Any heat source should be appropriately controlled with a thermostat.

Never place an uncontrolled heat source where it could overheat the enclosure or burn the frogs.

Heat should generally be provided from above or externally rather than using a heat rock.

Always monitor the actual temperatures inside the enclosure rather than guessing.

☀️ UVB & Lighting

We recommend providing suitable low-level UVB lighting for Red-Eyed Tree Frogs.

UVB contributes to normal vitamin D3 production and calcium metabolism.

The correct strength depends on:

• Enclosure size

• Distance from the frog

• Mesh between the lamp and animal

• Amount of plant cover

• Manufacturer's recommendations

Provide a normal day/night cycle, generally around 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness.

All lights should be switched off overnight.

💦 Humidity

Humidity is very important, but Red-Eyed Tree Frogs should not be kept constantly soaking wet.

Aim for humidity generally around 60–80%, allowing some natural fluctuation.

Regular misting can help maintain humidity.

A digital hygrometer should be used to monitor conditions.

Good ventilation is just as important as humidity.

Constantly stagnant, wet conditions can encourage mould, bacterial growth and skin problems.

The enclosure should have opportunities to dry slightly between misting rather than remaining permanently saturated.

🌬️ Ventilation

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs need good airflow.

A tropical enclosure shouldn't be treated like a sealed humid box.

Good ventilation helps:

• Reduce stagnant air

• Control mould

• Allow natural humidity fluctuations

• Keep plants healthier

• Maintain a better environment for the frogs

Balance ventilation with regular misting to maintain suitable humidity.

💧 Water

Fresh, clean water must always be available.

Provide a shallow water dish that the frogs can easily enter and leave.

Tap water should be treated with an appropriate amphibian-safe dechlorinator/water conditioner before use.

Change the water every day, or immediately if it becomes dirty.

Amphibians can absorb substances through their skin, so water quality is extremely important.

🌧️ Misting

Mist the enclosure with appropriately treated water as required to maintain suitable humidity.

Misting is particularly useful in the evening, as this is when Red-Eyed Tree Frogs naturally become more active.

An automatic misting system can be useful in larger or more advanced setups.

However, always monitor humidity rather than simply misting on a fixed schedule regardless of conditions.

🌿 Plants & Climbing

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are arboreal, so their enclosure should provide plenty of elevated resting areas.

Provide:

• Strong branches

• Vines

• Cork

• Broad-leaved plants

• Different climbing levels

• Sheltered areas

Live plants can work particularly well in a tropical setup.

Choose only amphibian-safe plants.

Broad leaves are particularly useful because Red-Eyed Tree Frogs often sleep underneath or on top of leaves during the day.

🪵 Substrate

Suitable substrate options can include:

• Coco fibre

• Tropical soil mixtures

• Suitable bioactive substrate

• Other amphibian-safe tropical substrates

A drainage layer may be useful in planted or bioactive enclosures.

Avoid substrates containing:

• Fertilisers

• Pesticides

• Strong chemicals

• Sharp materials

Substrate should be maintained appropriately and should not become permanently waterlogged.

🪲 Feeding Your Red-Eyed Tree Frogs

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are insectivores.

Suitable foods can include:

• Crickets

• Locusts

• Dubia roaches

• Other appropriately sized feeder insects

Prey should be appropriately sized for the frog.

A useful general rule is that prey should not be wider than the space between the frog's eyes.

Offer a varied diet rather than relying entirely on one feeder insect.

⏰ How Often Should I Feed?

Feeding frequency depends on the frog's age and condition.

As a general guide:

Young frogs:
🦗 Feed small appropriate meals daily or almost daily.

Adults:
🦗 Feed approximately every 2–3 days.

Adjust the amount according to body condition and how much your frogs actually eat.

Remove uneaten feeder insects where appropriate rather than allowing large numbers to remain in the enclosure.

🥕 Gut Loading

Feeder insects should be properly gut-loaded before being offered.

Gut loading means feeding the insects a nutritious diet before they are fed to your frogs.

Well-fed insects provide considerably better nutrition than poorly maintained feeder insects.

🦴 Calcium & Supplements

Feeder insects should be appropriately dusted with a suitable calcium and vitamin supplement.

The exact supplement schedule depends on:

• Age of the frog

• Diet

• UVB provision

• Product being used

Follow the manufacturer's instructions and ask us if you're unsure which supplement is suitable.

Too little supplementation can cause serious nutritional problems, but excessive supplementation can also be harmful.

🐸 Handling

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are primarily display animals rather than handling pets.

Their skin is extremely delicate and can absorb oils, salts, soaps and chemicals from human hands.

Handling should therefore be kept to an absolute minimum.

If handling is genuinely necessary:

• Wash and thoroughly rinse your hands first

• Ensure no soap or chemical residue remains

• Wet clean hands with treated water

• Handle very gently

• Keep handling brief

Suitable powder-free gloves moistened with treated water can also be used when necessary.

Never handle a frog simply for entertainment.

🌙 Nocturnal Behaviour

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are mainly nocturnal.

During the daytime, it's completely normal to see them:

• Sleeping

• Sitting motionless

• Hiding amongst plants

• Resting underneath leaves

• Keeping their eyes closed

After the lights go out, they become much more active and may begin:

• Climbing

• Jumping

• Hunting

• Calling

• Exploring the enclosure

Don't repeatedly wake a sleeping frog during the daytime simply to check that it is active.

🗣️ Calling

Male Red-Eyed Tree Frogs can produce calls, particularly at night.

Calling is natural behaviour and may become more frequent during breeding conditions.

They aren't usually extremely loud, but potential owners should remember that night-time calling is possible.

🧹 Cleaning

Good hygiene is extremely important with amphibians.

Every day:

• Refresh drinking/soaking water

• Remove waste

• Remove dead insects

• Check temperature

• Check humidity

• Check the frogs

Regularly:

• Clean the water dish

• Remove dirty substrate

• Clean surfaces where necessary

• Maintain plants

• Check drainage

• Clean the enclosure appropriately

Use only amphibian-safe cleaning products.

Never spray household cleaners, air fresheners or other chemicals around the enclosure.

🌱 Bioactive Enclosures

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs can do very well in a properly established bioactive enclosure.

A bioactive setup can contain:

• Live plants

• Natural substrate

• Drainage layer

• Leaf litter

• Springtails

• Suitable isopods

These organisms help break down some organic waste.

However, bioactive does not mean maintenance-free.

Water still needs changing, equipment needs checking and visible waste may still need removing.

🩺 Health

A healthy Red-Eyed Tree Frog should generally:

• Have clear, bright eyes when awake

• Have smooth, healthy-looking skin

• Maintain a good body condition

• Climb normally

• Feed regularly

• Become active during its normal nocturnal period

• Have a normal posture

Learn what is normal for your individual frogs.

⚠️ Signs to Watch For

Contact an exotics/amphibian-experienced vet if you notice:

• Persistent refusal to eat

• Significant weight loss

• Severe lethargy

• Abnormal skin colour or texture

• Red or inflamed skin

• Open wounds

• Swelling

• Persistent bloating

• Difficulty climbing

• Weakness

• Abnormal posture

• Unusual shedding problems

• Breathing difficulties

• Persistent abnormal behaviour

If a frog appears unwell, also check the temperature, humidity, ventilation and water quality immediately.

Amphibians can deteriorate quickly, so don't delay seeking veterinary advice.

⚖️ Monitoring Body Condition

Monitor your frogs regularly.

A healthy frog should have a well-proportioned appearance without becoming excessively thin or overweight.

If one frog in a group is consistently losing condition, make sure it is actually getting enough food.

Dominant or faster frogs may sometimes reach food before quieter individuals.

🐸 Keeping More Than One

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs can often be kept in suitable groups.

When keeping several frogs:

• Provide plenty of space

• Provide multiple resting areas

• Provide plenty of foliage

• Ensure every frog gets food

• Avoid major size differences

• Monitor for stress

Never keep a very small frog with a much larger frog where there is a risk of injury or accidental predation.

Larger groups require larger enclosures.

🦠 Hygiene & Salmonella

Like other amphibians, frogs can carry bacteria such as Salmonella without appearing ill.

Always:

• Wash your hands after enclosure maintenance

• Keep amphibian equipment away from food preparation areas

• Supervise children's hygiene

• Don't kiss your frog

• Don't allow frogs near your face or food

• Clean spills appropriately

Children should always be supervised around amphibians.

⚠️ Household Chemicals

Amphibians are particularly sensitive to chemicals because substances can be absorbed through their skin.

Keep the enclosure away from:

• Aerosol sprays

• Air fresheners

• Cigarette and vape smoke

• Strong cleaning products

• Paint fumes

• Insecticides

• Fly sprays

• Scented candles

• Heavy fragrances

Never use household insect sprays around your frogs or their feeder insects.

🏡 Bringing Your New Red-Eyed Tree Frog Home

Before bringing your frog home, the enclosure should already be:

• Fully set up

• At the correct temperature

• Maintaining suitable humidity

• Properly ventilated

• Equipped with suitable UVB

• Furnished with plenty of climbing areas

• Supplied with treated water

Once your frog arrives:

• Allow it time to settle

• Keep handling to an absolute minimum

• Avoid constantly opening the enclosure

• Maintain the normal day/night cycle

• Offer suitable food

• Monitor temperature and humidity

It's completely normal for a newly introduced frog to hide while it becomes familiar with its surroundings.

👨👩👧 Is a Red-Eyed Tree Frog Right for You?

Red-Eyed Tree Frogs are beautiful animals, but they require a properly maintained tropical environment.

Before buying them, remember that they:

• Can live for around 5–10 years or longer

• Require a tall tropical enclosure

• Need controlled temperature and humidity

• Require good ventilation

• Need suitable UVB lighting

• Eat live insects

• Require calcium and vitamin supplementation

• Need appropriately treated water

• Are primarily display animals

• Should not be regularly handled

• May require specialist veterinary treatment

For someone who enjoys creating and maintaining a naturalistic tropical enclosure, Red-Eyed Tree Frogs can be incredibly rewarding animals.

❤️ The Most Important Things to Remember

A healthy Red-Eyed Tree Frog needs appropriate warmth, humidity, good ventilation, suitable UVB, clean treated water, plenty of climbing opportunities and a varied diet of properly supplemented live insects.

Remember:

🌡️ Monitor temperature.
💦 Maintain humidity without making the enclosure permanently soaking wet.
🌬️ Provide good ventilation.
🦗 Feed varied, gut-loaded and appropriately supplemented insects.
✋ Keep handling to a minimum.

Get the environment right and these stunning frogs can be fascinating animals to observe for many years.

🐸 Roxy's Pet Shop

Need help with your Red-Eyed Tree Frogs?

Whether you're choosing a vivarium, heating, thermostat, UVB, substrate, plants, supplements or live food, please ask us. No question is too small or silly – we'd much rather you ask.

We recommend having your complete enclosure set up and running at the correct temperature and humidity before collecting your frogs.

Roxy's Pet Shop
Bloxwich High Street, WS3 3LA
☎️ 01922 492521
🌐 roxyspetshop.co.uk

This care guide provides general husbandry information and does not replace veterinary advice. Requirements can vary depending on the animal, enclosure and equipment used. If you are concerned about your frog's health, contact a qualified exotics/amphibian-experienced veterinary professional.