White Tree Frogs, also known as Dumpy Tree Frogs, are popular amphibians in the pet trade. A proper diet is fundamental to their health and longevity. Understanding their dietary needs ensures they thrive.
Primary Food Sources
The primary diet of a White Tree Frog should consist mainly of live insects. Crickets are a common staple, widely available and suitable. When selecting crickets, their size should be no larger than the width of the frog’s head, to prevent choking or discomfort.
Dubia roaches are another excellent staple feeder, offering a higher protein and lower fat content than crickets, along with increased calcium. Other suitable insects include grasshoppers, moths, and certain types of beetles. Earthworms and nightcrawlers can also be offered, providing a good source of protein.
Mealworms can be part of their diet but should be fed in moderation due to their higher fat content and tough outer shell, which can be harder for frogs to digest. A varied diet ensures the frog receives a broader spectrum of nutrients, preventing deficiencies that might arise from relying on a single insect type.
Enhancing Their Diet with Variety and Supplements
Beyond staple insects, offering occasional treat insects enhances the White Tree Frog’s diet and provides mental enrichment. Waxworms, for instance, are high in fat and should be given sparingly as a treat rather than a regular food item. Silkworms and butterworms are also suitable occasional feeders, with silkworms being particularly nutritious and low in fat.
Nutritional supplementation is important for captive White Tree Frogs to prevent common deficiencies like metabolic bone disease. Feeder insects should be dusted with a calcium supplement containing Vitamin D3 at most feedings for young frogs and several times a week for adults. A multivitamin supplement should also be applied to feeder insects once or twice a week to provide essential vitamins and minerals. This dusting process involves placing insects in a container with the powder and gently shaking to coat them before feeding.
Safe Feeding Practices
Consistent and safe feeding practices are important for White Tree Frogs. Adult White Tree Frogs require feeding every two to three days, while juveniles should be fed daily due to their faster growth. The portion size can be gauged by offering as many insects as the frog can consume within 10 to 15 minutes. Overfeeding should be avoided, as White Tree Frogs are prone to obesity, indicated by prominent fat ridges above their eardrums.
Gut-loading feeder insects is important for safe feeding. Gut-loading involves feeding the insects a nutritious diet for 24 to 72 hours before offering them to the frog. This process transfers beneficial nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, from the insect’s gut directly to the frog. Commercial gut-loading formulas, or fresh vegetables like leafy greens, carrots, and sweet potatoes, can be used for this purpose.
Insects can be offered by releasing them directly into the enclosure, allowing the frog to hunt naturally, or by using blunt-tipped tongs to hand-feed. Removing any uneaten insects after the feeding period helps maintain hygiene and prevents the insects from stressing the frog.
Foods to Never Offer
Certain items should never be fed to White Tree Frogs. Wild-caught insects pose a significant risk because they can carry pesticides, herbicides, or parasites that are harmful. Even if an area seems free of chemicals, unseen contaminants can be present.
Fireflies, or lightning bugs, are toxic to amphibians and can cause severe illness or death if ingested. Human foods, including fruits, vegetables, or processed items, are unsuitable, as their digestive systems are not equipped to process them and they offer little nutritional value. Offering dead insects is also ineffective, as White Tree Frogs are stimulated to feed by movement and typically will not recognize stationary prey as food.