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Care Sheet: Usumbara Peacock Tree Frog (Leptopelis vermiculatus)

Common Name: Usumbara Peacock Tree Frog, Usumbara Big Eyed Tree Frog.

Scientific Name: Leptopelis vermiculatus.

Distribution: Tanzania.

Size: Males 40-50mm, females 60-85mm.

Sexing: The males of this species may be heard calling this noise is a rather loud but brief "tok" repeated 2-3 times.

Colouration: There are 2 distinguishable colour phases. The first has a dorsum of bright green with black vermiculations, and the sides are marbled in black and white leading to a plain white ventral surface. The second phase has a deep brown dorsum with irregular forward pointing dark brown-black triangles, a dark bar or spot between the eyes, the sides are marbled as with the first colour phase.

Requirements: These beautiful agile frogs can jump over a large distance and so require a fairly large terrarium. A 15-gallon tank would be adequate for a group of 4 adults. They require a forest type set-up with a substrate of bark chips, topsoil and moss. Furnishings such as logs, cork bark and sturdy thin-leafed plants can be arranged to provide a number of climbing, perching and hiding places. A small 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 daytime temperature of 24 - 26°C with a drop at night to 20 - 22°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 waxworm, slugs, and snails should be fed every two-three days. A calcium and vitamin supplement should be used once weekly. Young frogs will take hatchling crickets and whiteworm these should be fed every day and a calcium and vitamin supplement used two-three times a week.