Red-eyed Tree Frog

Overview

Red-eyed tree frogs are bright leaf green, with blue-and-yellow streaked sides, orange feet and bulging red eyes ¹⁴. They're nocturnal, tree-dwelling frogs from Central and South America ¹. Females are larger than males. PetMD gives adult sizes of 2 to 2.5 inches for males and 3 to 3.5 inches for females, and Animal Diversity Web gives 4 to 7 cm overall ²⁴. PetMD rates them intermediate to keep ².

Lifespan figures vary by source:

Natural history

They range from southern Mexico through Central America into northern South America ⁴. They live in humid rainforest near ponds and other small bodies of fresh water, which they need to breed ⁴. Dehydration is a constant risk for them, so they're active at night. In hot or dry spells they shelter under broad leaves nearer the forest floor ⁴.

Enclosure

• Size. Tree of Life recommends at least an 18 × 18 × 24-inch vertical terrarium for one frog, and larger for groups ¹. PetMD lists 10+ gallons for one adult and 20+ for three or four ². Chicago Exotics considers 10 gallons acceptable for two adults ³. Taller and bigger is the safer choice.
• Front-opening, with a secure ventilated screen top ¹.
• Climbing. Branches, cork bark, vines and plenty of live or artificial plants for cover ¹.
• Water. A shallow dish of clean, dechlorinated water, changed daily ¹.
• Groups. Pairs or small groups of females with one male work well ³. PetMD describes them as sociable ².

Temperature & lighting

Use only low-wattage heat, and never hot rocks ¹. Run a 12-hour light cycle. Tree of Life recommends low-intensity UVB or full-spectrum LED lighting for long-term calcium health ¹.

Humidity

Tree of Life recommends 70 to 90% humidity, and Chicago Exotics 60 to 80% ¹³. Mist once or twice a day and check with a hygrometer ¹³. Keep good ventilation so the air doesn't stagnate and grow mold ¹. Use dechlorinated water for misting and the dish. Avoid distilled water, which lacks minerals ¹³⁶.

Substrate

Coconut fiber, cypress mulch or a soil mix with leaf litter, over a drainage layer in planted setups ¹. Paper towel is the easiest to clean ³. Sphagnum moss helps hold moisture, but change it often and keep it where a frog won't swallow it while hunting ³.

Diet & supplementation

• Insects. Varied, soft-bodied insects such as black soldier fly larvae and silkworms, offered in the evening ¹.
• Adults. Feed 3–4 times a week ¹.
• Obesity. Like most frogs, they get fat if overfed ³.
• Calcium. Tree of Life suggests dusting 2–3 times weekly. Chicago Exotics suggests calcium weekly and a multivitamin every two weeks ¹³. Unsupplemented insect diets cause metabolic bone disease ⁸.
• Clean up. Remove uneaten insects after a few hours ¹.

Handling & temperament

Handle only when you have to. Their permeable skin absorbs the oils and bacteria on our hands ¹². When needed, use rinsed, moistened hands or powder-free gloves ¹. Keep daytime disturbance low and give plenty of cover, because stress is a real health risk for them ¹. Wash your hands afterward, since amphibians can carry Salmonella ⁹.

Health

Common issues

• Dehydration from low humidity or no soaking water ¹.
• Metabolic bone disease. Soft or deformed jaw, fractures, curved spine ⁸.
• Bacterial and fungal skin infections in stale, dirty enclosures ¹⁷.
• Stress ¹.

When to see a vet

See an amphibian vet for red legs or belly, skin color changes, cottony growths, weakness, loss of balance, poor appetite or a soft jaw ⁷⁸.

Breeding overview

In the wild they breed in the rainy season ⁴. Males call and compete for females, and pairs attach their eggs to the underside of leaves, usually over water. Hatchling tadpoles survive only about 20 hours out of water, so they have to reach the pond quickly ⁴. The parents provide no care ⁴.

Legal & ethics

Agalychnis callidryas is listed in CITES Appendix II, so international trade requires permits ⁵. Choose captive-bred frogs from breeders who can document their origins.

Sources

1. Red-Eyed Tree Frog Care · Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center
2. Red-Eyed Tree Frog Care Sheet · PetMD
3. Red Eyed Tree Frog Care · Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital
4. Agalychnis callidryas (Rana-de árbol ojos rojos) · Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan
5. CITES listing: Agalychnis callidryas · Species+ (UNEP-WCMC and CITES Secretariat)
6. Housing for Amphibians · Merck Veterinary Manual
7. Common Infectious Diseases of Amphibians · Merck Veterinary Manual
8. Nutritional Diseases of Amphibians · Merck Veterinary Manual
9. Salmonella, Feeder Rodents, and Pet Reptiles and Amphibians · U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Last reviewed 2026-10-24 by Novel Fauna. This guide is general husbandry information, not veterinary advice. When an animal is sick, see a veterinarian experienced with exotic animals.

Revision history

1. 2026-10-24 Library: 50 cited care guides, /library/[slug] route, coming-soon cards, SLUGS.txt synced to species.guide_slug 228ce54

Evidence grades: Novel Fauna editorial: source classification, not yet expert-reviewed, 2026-10-25. What the grades mean.

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