The California Tree Frog (Pseudacris cadaverina) is a small, highly adaptable species native to the rocky, canyon stream habitats of Southern California and Baja, Mexico. Like most amphibians, the adult frog is an obligate carnivore, meaning its diet consists exclusively of other organisms. As an insectivorous species, its feeding habits play a significant role in controlling insect populations within its natural range. This article details the specific types of prey consumed by the California Tree Frog in the wild and the necessary dietary considerations for those kept in a captive environment.
Natural Prey Items
In their native environment, California Tree Frogs are opportunistic generalist predators, consuming a wide variety of small terrestrial arthropods. Their diet is largely dictated by what is locally abundant and small enough to fit into their mouth. They use their specialized, sticky tongue to rapidly capture prey. Specific items found in the wild diet include spiders, centipedes, and various insects like grasshoppers, ants, and beetles. They also routinely consume moths, sow bugs (isopods), true bugs, and lacewings. This broad range of prey ensures they receive a diverse nutritional profile from the different exoskeleton compositions and internal contents of various arthropods.
Diet in Captivity
The captive diet must replicate the nutritional diversity found in wild food sources. The standard and most easily sourced feeder insect is the common cricket, which should form the backbone of the captive diet. For variety, small dubia roaches can be offered, as they are often considered more nutritious than crickets.
Prey size is a fundamental rule in captive feeding; an insect should never be larger than the distance between the frog’s eyes. Offering food that is too large can lead to choking or a condition called impaction. For juveniles, tiny insects like flightless fruit flies are often necessary until they are large enough to handle pinhead crickets. Supplementation in the form of occasional treats, such as waxworms or mealworms, can be given to provide fat and calories, but these items should be offered sparingly due to their higher fat content.
Feeding Habits and Frequency
California Tree Frogs are primarily nocturnal, performing the majority of their hunting during nighttime hours. They are classic ambush predators, often waiting patiently for a suitable insect to wander within striking distance. When prey is detected, they rely on sight and a rapid, projectile tongue action to secure the meal.
The frequency of feeding varies depending on the frog’s age. Juvenile frogs, which are actively growing, require food daily to support their rapid development. Adult California Tree Frogs should generally be fed every two to three days to prevent overfeeding. It is necessary to remove any uneaten live prey from the enclosure shortly after the feeding session is complete, as crickets can bite and cause stress or injury to a resting frog.
Essential Nutritional Requirements
Simply providing live insects is not sufficient; the quality of the prey item is a factor in the frog’s long-term health. The process of “gut-loading” is necessary and involves feeding the prey insects a diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and hydration for at least 12 to 24 hours before they are offered. This ensures the frog receives these nutrients secondhand.
Beyond gut-loading, captive frogs require powdered calcium and Vitamin D3 supplementation, which is applied by dusting the feeder insects immediately before feeding. Calcium is critical for bone structure, and Vitamin D3 is needed for the frog to properly absorb the calcium. Without this supplementation, the frog is at risk of developing Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD), a serious condition that causes skeletal deformities.