Frogs might seem like simple creatures, but venture into the exotic world of the White Lipped Tree Frog and it’s an entirely different story. The largest member of the tree frog family, the White Lipped Tree Frog or Litoria Infrafrenata, boasts an enchanting beauty that can mesmerize any animal lover. Now, let’s take a captivating journey into the world of this frog species.
Unraveling The Mystique Of The White Lipped Tree Frog
Often, the remarkable White Lipped Tree Frog sets itself apart with its signature white lower lip. Adorned with bright green skin, this unusual amphibian captivates onlookers. It’s important to note, though, that stress or lower temperatures can make their vibrant color fade. A fully matured White Lipped Tree Frog ranges from three to five inches, with females being the larger of the two genders. Living for as long as 10 to 15 years, this frog species has a considerably long lifespan.
Decoding The Care And Dietary Requirements
Diet
This fascinating creature eats with fervor. Its meals mostly consist of mineral-dusted or gut-loaded crickets, giant mealworms, and succulent houseflies. Ensuring these creatures have not been exposed to any harmful fertilizers, pesticides, or insecticides is crucial. Store-bought feeder insects are preferred over wild ones to reduce the risk of harmful internal parasites.
Hydration
An indispensable part of their care involves providing chlorine-free water in a shallow dish that you clean and refill daily. These amphibians appreciate a nightly misting in their enclosure to bump up the humidity level.
Creating An Ideal Environment
White Lipped Tree Frogs have intrinsic climbing instincts, so a few branches and vines for them to climb on are key to their happiness. They favor enclosures with a mesh top for proper ventilation. As for lighting, a 50-watt daytime bulb suffices. The key to a content frog is branches at various levels, allowing them to pick their comfort spot.
Handling This Delicate Beauty
While it might be tempting to frequently hold and admire this beautiful amphibian, overhandling could stress out the White Lipped Tree Frog. Limiting handling to once per day for no more than 10 minutes can keep the stress levels down. It’s always advisable to wash your hands before and after handling your frog to ensure optimal hygiene.
Key Health Details
Generally robust, the White Lipped Tree Frog does well in a sterile environment. A common ailment is metabolic bone disease, which can be avoided by supplying the right amount of calcium in their diet. One simple trick is to coat their cricket meals with high-calcium dust every third feeding, helping to prevent and sometimes reverse this condition.
A Peek into Reproduction
A drop in temperatures coupled with a reduced photo period over 6 weeks prepares these frogs for breeding. Post this cooling period, marginally increasing the humidity and temperature triggers courtship. Females lay eggs in water which males then fertilize externally. Tadpoles develop on plant bits and when ready, they venture onto land, embodying the fascinating lifecycle of the White Lipped Tree Frog.
Related Resources: