L.Caerulea care sheet
WRITTEN BY D.KNIGHT
INTRODUCTION
Litoria Caerulea are a tree frog from the family hyliade. They originate from Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea and New Zealand. Females can reach 4 inches in length while males are slighly smaller.
HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
An arboreal vivarium, 18x18x24 inches would be suited to house an adult pair. Lots of climbing branches should be provided and secured in place. Pothos and mantra species are well suited plants as they provide shade and sleeping places. Natural set ups that are well planted make an ideal home for these frogs. Covering the sides of the tank with blacking out paper or coco panels will provide them with extra security and help to reduce stress. Sphagnum moss, gravel, bark and any other loose substrate should be avoided as it may cause impactions. Eco earth or coco husk make ideal substrates but should be given drainage by means of a false bottom or a deep layer of hydroleca. Only similar sized individuals should be kept together as this frog is cannibalistic and will eat smaller viv mates.
LIGHTING
Although the research is on going, U.V can provide many benefits. It is very beneficial in the production of D3 and will help prevent bone disfigurement in juveniles. Although C.Caerulea may be nocturnal and prefer shaded areas, U.V rays reach through out the rainforest penertrating leaves giving them exposure to the rays. A 2% tube with a reflector placed over the top of the viv will provide them with substantial U.V. The light emitted from the tube will also be needed to maintain the plants in the vivarium.
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
Humidity's of 60% 70% along with good ventilation is vital. The vivarium should be misted with de-chlorinated water daily and not allowed to fully dry out. A temperature of 80 in the day with a drop to 70 degrees at night is ideal. Heat emitting bulbs should not be used to achieve this as the ill rapidly dry out the air.
FEEDING
A large range of inverts, crickets, locusts, moths and flies are among there favorites, however L.Caerulea will eat large food items such as small rodents and lizards. Vitamins and calcium supplements should be dusted onto the food, the most effective way to do this is by placing the food into a bag, adding the supplement and gently shaking. Adults should be given a feed with calcium once per week and vitamins also once per week, Juveniles will need more frequent supplementing. Do not supplement calcium and vitamins at the same time, do one per feed. Food items should also be gut-loaded on fesh veg before being offered. Adult C.Caerulea should be fed 2 - 3 times per week and juveniles daily. Any uneaten food should be removed from the viv as it will not only stress and bite the frogs but it will also eat the plants.
WATERING
A water area should be provided as they will use it to replenish their natural water reserve. The area or dish should be changed daily using
de-chlorinated water.
CLEANING
The vivarium should be spot cleaned daily with any feces or dead food items being removed. It is also beneficial to wipe down the leaves of the plants with an amphibian safe disinfectant. Cleanliness is vital in amphibian husbandry and should be dealt with responsibly.
HANDLING
Handling should be avoided unless it is vital to the specimens well fare. If you do have to handle then powder free surgical gloves must be worn and frequently misted with de-chlorinated water to stop them drying out. Litoria Caerulea do not like or get used to being handled, it is very stress full to them and if not done correctly very dangerous. Not only will the salts in human skin irritate them but there is a risk of damaging a limb or tearing the skin. When cleaning the viv the safest and less stress full way for the frogs is to catch them in a tub which has been sprayed with
de-chlorinated water.
SEXING LITORIA CAERULEA
Litoria Caerulea are not sex-able untill they reach a mature age. The biggest sexual difference other than size is males will call in the evenings. The female is larger than males and in the breeding season males will develop nuptial pads.
CONCLUSION
Litoria Caerulea are a great anura for any one starting out with amphibians. they are very hardy and will last years if given the proper care.
INTRODUCTION
Litoria Caerulea are a tree frog from the family hyliade. They originate from Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea and New Zealand. Females can reach 4 inches in length while males are slighly smaller.
HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
An arboreal vivarium, 18x18x24 inches would be suited to house an adult pair. Lots of climbing branches should be provided and secured in place. Pothos and mantra species are well suited plants as they provide shade and sleeping places. Natural set ups that are well planted make an ideal home for these frogs. Covering the sides of the tank with blacking out paper or coco panels will provide them with extra security and help to reduce stress. Sphagnum moss, gravel, bark and any other loose substrate should be avoided as it may cause impactions. Eco earth or coco husk make ideal substrates but should be given drainage by means of a false bottom or a deep layer of hydroleca. Only similar sized individuals should be kept together as this frog is cannibalistic and will eat smaller viv mates.
LIGHTING
Although the research is on going, U.V can provide many benefits. It is very beneficial in the production of D3 and will help prevent bone disfigurement in juveniles. Although C.Caerulea may be nocturnal and prefer shaded areas, U.V rays reach through out the rainforest penertrating leaves giving them exposure to the rays. A 2% tube with a reflector placed over the top of the viv will provide them with substantial U.V. The light emitted from the tube will also be needed to maintain the plants in the vivarium.
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
Humidity's of 60% 70% along with good ventilation is vital. The vivarium should be misted with de-chlorinated water daily and not allowed to fully dry out. A temperature of 80 in the day with a drop to 70 degrees at night is ideal. Heat emitting bulbs should not be used to achieve this as the ill rapidly dry out the air.
FEEDING
A large range of inverts, crickets, locusts, moths and flies are among there favorites, however L.Caerulea will eat large food items such as small rodents and lizards. Vitamins and calcium supplements should be dusted onto the food, the most effective way to do this is by placing the food into a bag, adding the supplement and gently shaking. Adults should be given a feed with calcium once per week and vitamins also once per week, Juveniles will need more frequent supplementing. Do not supplement calcium and vitamins at the same time, do one per feed. Food items should also be gut-loaded on fesh veg before being offered. Adult C.Caerulea should be fed 2 - 3 times per week and juveniles daily. Any uneaten food should be removed from the viv as it will not only stress and bite the frogs but it will also eat the plants.
WATERING
A water area should be provided as they will use it to replenish their natural water reserve. The area or dish should be changed daily using
de-chlorinated water.
CLEANING
The vivarium should be spot cleaned daily with any feces or dead food items being removed. It is also beneficial to wipe down the leaves of the plants with an amphibian safe disinfectant. Cleanliness is vital in amphibian husbandry and should be dealt with responsibly.
HANDLING
Handling should be avoided unless it is vital to the specimens well fare. If you do have to handle then powder free surgical gloves must be worn and frequently misted with de-chlorinated water to stop them drying out. Litoria Caerulea do not like or get used to being handled, it is very stress full to them and if not done correctly very dangerous. Not only will the salts in human skin irritate them but there is a risk of damaging a limb or tearing the skin. When cleaning the viv the safest and less stress full way for the frogs is to catch them in a tub which has been sprayed with
de-chlorinated water.
SEXING LITORIA CAERULEA
Litoria Caerulea are not sex-able untill they reach a mature age. The biggest sexual difference other than size is males will call in the evenings. The female is larger than males and in the breeding season males will develop nuptial pads.
CONCLUSION
Litoria Caerulea are a great anura for any one starting out with amphibians. they are very hardy and will last years if given the proper care.