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Care Sheet: Cuban Treefrog (Osteopilus septentrionalis)

Common Name: Cuban Tree Frog. Scientific Name: Osteopilus septentrionalis. Distribution: Cuba, United States of America south of Florida, Isle of Pines, Cayman Islands, Virgin Islands, Bahamas, St. Croix, & Puerto Rica. Size: Males: 2-3", Females: 5" Sexing: The males tend to have darker skin on the throat and nuptial pads when in breeding condition. Females have a more rounded body shape. Colouration: The colouration in these frogs differs greatly, They range from the usual greyish green to a light creamy brown. Some individuals may be mottled with a darker brown to create a camouflage bark effect. Requirements: Being a rather large species they require quite a spacious terrarium. A 20-gallon tank would be ideal for a group of 4 adults. They require a woodland type set up with a substrate of either bark chips or topsoil on top of which an area of live moss should be provided. The tank can be furnished with a selection of logs, cork bark, rocks, and sturdy leafed plants (Live or artificial). These items should be arranged in such a way that they provide a number of climbing, perching and hiding areas for the frogs. A large water bowl (no deeper than the frog's height at rest) should be provided with clean de-chlorinated or spring water which will need changing daily so as to avoid the risk of ammonia and bacteria building up in the water. The enclosure will need to be heated to a daytime temperature of 25-27°C (75-82°F) with a drop at night to 22°C (72°F). This can be done using an under tank heat-mat controlled by a thermostat. Spot bulbs / heat lamps are not recommended for use with amphibians and so a fluorescent UVB tube should be provided as a light source. The tank should be visually inspected daily and any soiled items should be removed, cleaned and replaced, if this is done at the same time as changing the water it will cause less disturbance to the frogs. Once every two-three weeks the tank and its contents should be completely cleaned and sterilised using an amphibian / reptile safe 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. Large females may take small pinkie mice. 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.