Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor)
| Gray Treefrog Hyla versicolor | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Gray Treefrog |
| Name Lat. | Hyla versicolor |
| Family | Hylids |
| Family lat. | Hylidae |
| Order | Frogs & Toads |
| Order lat. | Anura |
| Origin | North America |
| Habitat | Wetlands |
| Diet | Small live insects |
| Humidity | 50-70 % |
| Behavior | Peaceful, nocturnal |
| Keeping | Pair, group |
| Care Level | Easy |
| Breeding | Moderately difficult |
| Housing | Semi-humid terrarium |
| Life Span | 5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 6 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Housing Size | 40 x 40 x 60 cm |
| US Units | |
| Size | 2.4" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Housing Size | 15" x 15" x 25" |
Distribution and habitat
The range of crepuscular to nocturnal Gray Treefrogs is southern Canada and northeastern United States to Texas, where they are found in wooded areas near marshes, ponds, and lakes.
Maintenance
For 1-2 animals, the recommended minimum terrarium area is 1,600 cm² with a minimum effective height (measured without substrate) of 50 cm. This corresponds to a terrarium with a base area of e.g. 40 x 40 cm. For each additional animal, add 500 cm² of surface area and 3 cm of height. The terrarium should be placed in a quiet place without sunlight.
You will 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 and a shallow watering place as large as possible, in addition branched climbing branches, preferably entwined by climbing plants, with horizontal perches, back and side wall coverings of e.g. tree fern plates (Xaxim) and a dense planting (e.g. Tradescantia, Ficus, Scindapsus, ferns). Potted plants that can be easily removed for cleaning are advantageous. At least twice a day the inside of the terrarium must be finely sprayed with water (humidity), but a rain or mist system is better.
| Temp. day: 24-28 °C | Temp. night: 20-22 °C | Humidity: 50-70 |
The lighting duration must be 10-14 hours depending on the season. Daylight fluorescent tubes with low UV content are very suitable. Recommended is a hibernation of about 2 months, during which, depending on the origin of the animals, the temperature is lowered to 8-15 °C.
Diet
The food supply consists of live insects such as house crickets, houseflies and cockroaches as well as small grasshoppers and crickets. After a period of habituation (feeding with tweezers), special ready-made food for insectivores is often accepted as well. Food should be offered to adult animals 2-3 times a week, young animals must be fed daily. It is important to add minerals and vitamins regularly (e.g. by dusting the feed animals). The quality of the feed animals can be upgraded by feeding overripe fruit and honey water.
A varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.
Reproduction and breeding
Males and females are similarly colored and their skin is covered with numerous warts that they can smooth.
After winter dormancy, the female ready to spawn is taken by the male in the mating grip (amplexus) and lays several hundred eggs in spawning balls usually on plants in shallow water. Depending on the temperature, the larvae hatch after 3-7 days. They initially filter microorganisms from the water and later eat animal and plant food. After about 40-90 days the transformation (metamorphosis) is completed and the frog leaves the water.
Life expectancy can be over 5 years.
Important
The gray tree frog can adapt the coloration of its skin to the environment and thus protect itself from predators.
Before purchasing, a terrarium should be prepared that meets the species-specific needs. Good ventilation without drafts is necessary, as well as equipment for measuring temperature and humidity. 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
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: petdata; 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