Scientific Name: Hyla cinerea.
Common Names: American Green Tree Frog.
Distribution: Delaware south along the coast into Florida and west to Texas, north through central Arkansas and western Tennessee to Illinois.
Size: 1.25" - 2.25"
Sexing: The males of this species will make a loud quacking call, this is the most reliable way of sexing. The males also tend to have darker skin on the throat. Females have a more rounded body shape.
Colouration: The markings of these frogs can vary, the majority have a golden cream stripe running down the side of the body, but in some individuals this line may be replaced with golden yellow spots. Albino variants are now common in the American pet trade and occasionally rare axanthic blue specimens are found in the wild, these are currently being bred to create a blue strain for the pet trade. In certain areas of their wild distribution they will cross breed with the Barking Tree Frog (Hyla gratiosa).
Requirements: Minimum recommended terrarium size for 2 adult frogs would be 24x12x15" (l,w,h). Suitable substrates include coco-humus, sedge peat, sterile topsoil, bark chip, composted bark and moss. Furnishings such as branches, canes, and cork bark of varying thickness should be arranged along with a number of fake or real sturdy plants to provide a number of climbing, perching, and hiding opportunities. A medium sized water bowl should be provided at all times with clean de-chlorinated or spring water. The terrarium will require heating to 15-25ºC during the day with a drop to 15-18ºC. Humidity levels should be around 60% daytime with a slight raise at night. UVB lighting of 2-5% may be provided for a 12-14hr period during the day but if a good supplemented diet is provided then UVB lighting is optional.
Maintenance: Water will need changing daily to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria. Whilst changing the water it is a good idea to spot clean the tank and remove, clean, and replace any soiled items. At least once a month the entire terrarium and it's contents should be striped, cleaned, and sterilized using an amphibian friendly disinfectant.
Feeding: A mixture of suitably sized insects including crickets, roaches, flies, moths, locusts, worms, grubs & caterpillars should be offered every 2-3 days for adults or daily for young frogs. A good calcium and vitamin supplement should be lightly dusted over the feeder insects at least once a week for adults or every other feed for young.
