Looking after Tree Frogs by Emma Forsyth

Peacock Tree Frog/Vermiculated Jungle Tree Frogs
Leptopelis Vermiculatus

General Info:
Size= 4-9cm (1-4 inches)
Female: They tend to be beige in colour with patches of dark green/brown. The feet are a yellow/orange colour. They change colour to brown with dark brown patches. Females are larger then males and a lot rounder.
Male: Can be a light green with patches of beige and change to a dark brown they too like the females have yellow/orange feet. Males are a lot smaller length and width wise! Males also make a calling noise which is normally 2-3 times in a row its like a bark.

Housing:
It depends on how many you are planning on keeping but it is recommended to get a pair, regardless of sex. A minimum of 10 gallons (45 litres) for a pair.
Substrate: In the bottom you can use orchid bark or peat moss or humus brick (which is like an expanding brick of soil). These all keep the humidity nicely!
Decoration: Provide plenty of branches, vine and sticks to climb on. Real and fake plants can be used (note: if your going to use real plants find out whether they are poisonous before putting them in the tank!) Its also important to have a temperature and hygrometer (humidity gauge).

Water Needs:
A large water dish can be used so they can bath in this and this should be cleaned out everyday or every other day as they sometimes like to go to the toilet in it!

Temperature & Humidity:
The ideal day temperature for this species is 24C-26C and at night time it should drop to about 20C. The humidity level should be 60% plus. This can be maintained by misting two to three times a day.

Heating/Lighting/UVA:
For heating you can either mount a heat mat on the side or the base of the tank. A better heat source (especially in winter) is to have a basking lamp which they do enjoy sitting under. Its not essential to have any UVA/UVB lighting but if you want to if you have live plants then it should be put on in the day for no more than 12 hours. Don’t put on at night as the frogs are nocturnal and they won’t come out for their food!

Diet:
They are carnivorous. They can eat depending on the size of the frog, medium to large crickets. Locusts at medium size can be given too. They also occasionally enjoy waxworms in a dish preferably one where they cant escape from. These should only be given now and again as they can be fattening.

Crickets should be fed to them about 2-3 times a week and about 2-4 crickets fed per feed.

Supplements:
About once a week dust the crickets in calcium dust this helps maintain their bone strength.

Maintenance:
The substrate should be cleaned once a month as you don’t want to disturb the humidity. The water dish should be changed everyday or every other day.

Extra Information:
Shedding/Sloughing: they do this every few days you’ll be lucky to see it. After sloughing their own skin as it loosens they start to arch their back and open their widely then pushes it into their mouth.
When they are covered in soil they flick it off with rear legs which feels like an elastic band!
Both males and females do a self defence squirt which is clear and non smelling.