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Care Sheet: Marsupial Frogs (Gastropheca)

Common Name: Marsupial Frog.

Scientific Name: Gastrotheca sp.

Distribution: Venezuela to northern Argentina, eastern Brazil, through Dalmatia, & from the Pacific side of the Andes through Colombia into Ecuador.

Size: 5-7cm.

Sexing: Males can be heard calling in a chicken like manner, females have an egg pouch on the lower part of the dorsum.

Colouration: Green, tan, or bronze markings in the form of bars or blotches on a lighter greenish-beige background.

Varieties: There are around 50species of Marsupial Frog, the most commonly seen in captivity are the Common Marsupial Frog (G. marupiata), and the Riobamba Marsupial Frog (G. riobambae).

Requirements: These medium sized frogs are fairly terrestrial and require only a low terrarium. A 10-gallon vivarium would be adequate for a group of 4-6 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 small-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 20-25°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, mealworm, flies, small-locust, waxworm 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.