Scientific Name: Hyla gratiosa.
Common Names: Barking Treefrog.
Distribution: Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky, & Tennessee.
Size: 5-7cm.
Sexing: The males throats have a loose greenish appearance, males also emit a loud barking call.
Colouration: Bright to dark olive green speckled with light and dark spots, occasionally these spots will be completely absent. In certain areas of their wild distribution they will cross breed with the American Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea).
Requirements: These agile frogs are the largest of the Hyla found in the United States and so require a fairly large terrarium. Minimum recommended terrarium size for 2-4 adult frogs would be 36x12x15" (l,w,h). Suitable substrates include coco-humus, sedge peat, sterile topsoil, bark chip, composted bark, leaf litter 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: For adults a mixture of suitably sized insects including crickets, mini-mealworm, flies, waxworm, small locust, caterpillars and moths should be fed every two-three days. A calcium and vitamin supplement should be used once a week. 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.
