Cameroon Banana Frog (Afrixalus lacteus)
| Cameroon Banana Frog Afrixalus lacteus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Cameroon Banana Frog |
| Name Lat. | Afrixalus lacteus |
| Family | African Reed Frogs |
| Family lat. | Hyperoliidae |
| Order | Frogs & Toads |
| Order lat. | Anura |
| Origin | Africa |
| Habitat | Humid savanna |
| Diet | Small live insects |
| Humidity | 60-90 % |
| Behavior | Peaceful |
| Keeping | Pair, group |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Housing | Semi-humid terrarium |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 2.5-3 cm |
| Temperature | 22-28 °C |
| Housing Size | 40 x 30 x 45 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 1"-1.2" |
| Temperature | 72-82 °F |
| Housing Size | 15" x 10" x 20" |
Distribution and habitat
The range of the crepuscular to nocturnal Cameroon Banana Frogs is in the mountainous region of western Cameroon, where they occur at elevations of 1,200 to 1,900 meters. They live near temporary or perennial pools and water bodies.
Maintenance
For 1-2 animals the terrarium size should be at least L 40 x W 30 x H 45 cm, for a group at least L 60 x W 40 x H 60 cm. The terrarium should be placed in a quiet, vibration-free place without sunlight.
You need a terrarium with a substrate of loose, absorbent, non-rotting substrate such as sand-peat mixture, coconut fibers or sphagnum moss with a drainage, plus pieces of bark, flat stones, structured back and side walls, strongly branched climbing branches, preferably entwined with climbing plants, a dense planting (e.g. Tradescantia, Ficus, Hoya, Bromeliads) and a large, shallow water basin. Potted plants that can be easily removed for cleaning are advantageous. Daily, the inside of the terrarium should be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better.
| Temp. day: 22-28 °C | Temp. night: 18-22 °C | Humidity: 60-90 % |
Thermostatically controlled floor heating (heating mats) is recommended. The lighting duration must be 10-14 hours depending on the season. Daylight fluorescent tubes with low UV content are very suitable.
Diet
The food supply consists of live insects such as Drosophila, flies, ants, spiders, micro crickets, cockroaches, tiny grasshoppers and crickets as well as meadow insects (meadow plankton). After a period of habituation (feeding with tweezers), special ready-made food for insectivores is often accepted. Food should be offered to adult animals 2-3 times a week, young animals must be fed daily. Feeding should be done in the evening hours. It is important to add minerals and vitamins regularly (e.g. by dusting the feeders). The quality of the feeders can be enhanced by feeding overripe fruit and honey water. A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Reproduction and breeding
Males and females can hardly be distinguished externally
At the beginning of the rainy season, after a short cool resting period, the female, ready to spawn, is taken in the mating grip (amplexus) by the male and lays several clumps of eggs on leaves above a water surface. The leaves are folded and glued together to form a kind of funnel. Depending on the temperature, the larvae (tadpoles) hatch after about 10 days and drop into the water below or are washed off. They initially filter microorganisms from the water and later eat animal and plant food. After about 80 days, the transformation (metamorphosis) is complete and the frog leaves the water.
Life expectancy can be over 5 years.
Important
The fingers and toes of these tree dwellers have adhesive discs. To observe the nocturnal animals is recommended to install a special night or moonlight
Before buying should be prepared terrarium that meets the specific needs of the species. Good ventilation without drafts is necessary, as well as equipment for measuring temperature and humidity. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and should be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape
Special attention must be paid to thorough hygiene and impurities must be removed regularly
You can find further literature in your pet store
References
Text: Christian Sänger; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: VDA & DGHT (2006): Haltungsrichtlinien für die Haltung von Anuren; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF