Scientific Name: Hyla arborea.
Common Names: European Green Tree Frog, European Tree Frog, and Eurasian Tree Frog.
Distribution: Central Europe, Russia.
Size: Females can attain a snout-to-vent length of 5cm, males usually slightly smaller.
Sexing: The males of this species can be heard calling, this is the most reliable way of sexing. The males also tend to have darker, looser, skin on the throat and slightly larger forelimbs. Females have a more rounded body shape.
Colouration: Usually a light green dorsum and limbs with a broad brownish-grey stripe running from the nostrils down along the side of the body, the dorsum may also be grey sometimes with darker patches - usually most prominent in young animals. Captive breeding has produced a light bluish-green strain and leucistic examples.
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. If kept in a frost-free location the terrarium will not usually need to be heated. 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.
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.
