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Care Sheet: Asian Treefrog (Polypedates leucomystax)

Common Name: Asian Tree Frog, Yellow Tree Frog, White-bearded Flying Frog, Golden Flying Frog, Asian Flying Frog, and the Golden Foam-nest Frog.

Scientific Name: Polypedates leucomystax.

Distribution: South-eastern Asia, ranging from the Eastern Himalayas through Southern China, Java, Kalimantan, the Philippines & India.

Size: 5-10cm.

Life Expectancy: Captive bred individuals can often be expected to live for over 6 years.

Sexing: The males of this species grow to only half the size of females, and show a slight grey pigmentation on the throat.

Colouration: Pale creamy-brown to dark chocolate-brown, with dark stripes on limbs, jaw & dorsum.

Polypedates leucomystax

Polypedates leucomystax quadrilineatus

Requirements: These large agile frogs can jump over a large distance and so require a very large terrarium. 20-gallon tall vivarium would be adequate for a group of 4 adults. They require a well-planted woodland type set-up with a substrate of bark chips, topsoil or moss. Furnishings such as logs, cork bark and sturdy leafed plants can be arranged to provide a number of climbing, perching and hiding places. A medium sized water bowl (no deeper than the frog's height at rest) must be provided with clean de-chlorinated or spring water. The water will need to be changed daily to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria in the water whilst changing the water it is a good idea to visually inspect the tank and remove, clean and replace any soiled items. The tank will need to be heated to a temperature of 25-30°C this can be done with an under-tank heat-mat controlled by a thermostat. It is not advisable to use spot / heat lamps with amphibians and so a separate light source should be provided by the means of a fluorescent UVB tube. Once every two-three weeks the tank and its contents should be completely cleaned and sterilised using an amphibian / reptile friendly disinfectant.

Feeding: For adults a mixture of suitably sized insects including crickets, flies, locust, and moths should be fed every two-three days. A calcium and vitamin supplement should be used once weekly. Young frogs will take hatchling crickets and fruitflies. These should be fed every day and a calcium and vitamin supplement used two-three times a week.