In the reptile and amphibian-keeping niche, few endeavors are as rewarding as constructing a bioactive terrarium for a Pacific Tree Frog. These remarkable enclosures mimic the natural habitats of these creatures and provide a self-sustaining ecosystem that significantly reduces the need for frequent maintenance. In this two-part comprehensive guide, well walk you through the step-by-step process of creating a bioactive terrarium for a Pacific Tree Frog. From selecting the right enclosure and choosing suitable plant species, to establishing the vital clean up crew, well cover every aspect to ensure your frogs optimal health and well-being.
Pacific tree frogs, also known as Pacific chorus frogs make for unique and rewarding pets. With their small size, vibrant colors, and mellow nature, they can thrive when properly cared for. If you’re considering getting a Pacific tree frog, this guide will teach you everything you need to know to keep them healthy and happy.
An Overview of Pacific Tree Frogs
Pacific tree frogs are native to the west coast of North America. Their natural habitat ranges from British Columbia down to Baja California. They live in moist forests and meadows, as well as suburban yards and parks.
These frogs get their name from their arboreal nature. They spend much of their time in trees and shrubs. Their toe pads allow them to easily grip branches and leaves.
Pacific tree frogs are small growing to around 1.5 to 2 inches long as adults. They vary in color but are often green or brown. They have a dark stripe through their eyes and light bellies.
Males are smaller than females. They also have dark vocal sacs under their throats to amplify their loud mating calls.
Pacific tree frogs have mild dispositions and do well in captivity when cared for properly. Their small size makes them a good choice for beginner amphibian owners.
Setting Up the Enclosure
Caring for a Pacific tree frog starts with creating the right environment. Here’s how to set up an enclosure that meets their needs:
Tank Size and Type
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A 10-20 gallon tall glass aquarium or vivarium works well.
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Pacific tree frogs are arboreal so vertical space is more important than a large floor area.
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Make sure the tank has a screen top for ventilation.
Substrate
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Use 2-3 inches of coconut fiber substrate or sphagnum moss. This helps maintain humidity.
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Avoid gravel or sand, which can be accidentally swallowed.
Decorations
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Add branches, vines, live or artificial plants for climbing and hiding spots.
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A shallow water dish big enough for soaking is essential. Change water daily.
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Place smooth rocks, logs, and cork hides to create a naturalistic environment.
Maintaining the Habitat
Once you have the enclosure set up, maintaining it properly is key:
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Temperature: 65-80°F. Use a heat mat or low wattage bulb if needed.
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Humidity: 60-80%. Mist daily and monitor with a hygrometer.
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Lighting: 12 hours per day. Use a low wattage, full spectrum bulb.
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Cleaning: Remove waste, uneaten food daily. Change water daily. Completely clean tank monthly.
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Feeding: Offer crickets, worms, flies 2-3 times per week. Dust food with calcium/vitamin supplements.
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Handling: Wash hands before and after. Limit handling to reduce stress.
Feeding Your Pacific Tree Frog
Pacific tree frogs eat live insects and invertebrates. Here are some feeding tips:
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Offer appropriately sized live insects like crickets, mealworms, or earthworms.
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Feed 2-3 times per week. Give 3-5 prey items per frog at each feeding.
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Use calcium and vitamin D3 supplements to dust insects 1-2 times weekly.
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Gut load insects with nutritious foods like vegetables, fruits, grains before feeding them to your frog.
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Monitor your frog’s appetite and weight. Loss of appetite may indicate illness.
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Provide shallow water dish for soaking live insects if needed. Remove uneaten insects within 12 hours.
Caring for Frog Tadpoles
If you decide to breed your Pacific tree frogs, you’ll need to care for the tadpoles:
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After eggs hatch, move tadpoles to a separate rearing tank. Use a gentle net to avoid harming them.
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Feed tadpoles boiled lettuce, algae wafers, fish flakes. They eat constantly and become very active when feeding.
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Keep water clean with frequent partial water changes. An air stone provides oxygenation.
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It takes 8-12 weeks for tadpoles to morph into froglets. After losing their tails, move them to the adult vivarium.
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Start with small springtails or pinhead crickets. Gradually increase prey size as the froglets grow.
Common Health Issues
With good care, Pacific tree frogs live 5-10 years in captivity. Be alert for these potential health issues:
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Metabolic Bone Disease: Caused by calcium/vitamin D3 deficiency. Seen as leg weakness or misshapen bones. Prevent with proper supplements.
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Parasites: Look for loss of appetite, weight loss. Take fresh fecal sample to an exotic vet for testing.
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Bacterial or Fungal Infections: Seen as redness, ulcers, abscesses on the skin. Seek vet care.
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Toxicity: Skin or eye irritations may indicate toxicity from poor water quality, substrate, or cleaning agents. Address environment.
Tips for Success
Caring for Pacific tree frogs is rewarding but does require some specialized husbandry. Here are tips to help you succeed:
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Do plenty of research beforehand on their needs.
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Purchase from a reputable breeder or pet store. Avoid wild caught specimens.
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Start with captive bred animals whenever possible. They adapt better to life in a vivarium.
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Have a vet experienced in amphibians lined up in case any health issues arise.
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Join forums and groups to connect with other Pacific tree frog owners.
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Observe your frog’s behaviors and appetites. Note any changes which could indicate illness or stress.
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Perform partial water changes and tank cleanings frequently to maintain good water and environmental quality.
The Rewarding World of Pacific Tree Frog Care
Pacific tree frogs may seem delicate but can live full, healthy lives when cared for properly. Set up an arboreal, humid vivarium enriched with plants and decor. Maintain ideal temperatures and cleanliness. Feed a varied diet with supplements. Address any health issues promptly. With the right approach, you’ll be rewarded by these amazing amphibians for years to come!
Selecting the Ideal Enclosure Size for Pacific Tree Frogs
The foundation of any successful bioactive terrarium starts with the choice of enclosure. For Pacific Tree Frogs, its essential to provide a habitat that mirrors their natural environment while ensuring their well-being. A suitable enclosure for these small amphibians is the ExoTerra 18x18x24. This offers the ideal dimensions for housing 2-4 Pacific Tree Frogs, providing both enough floor space and vertical space for them to explore and occupy different microhabitats within the enclosure. The footprint of this enclosure supplies ample space for creating your leaf litter bed, which frogs need so they are not in contact with dirt 100% of the time. It is important to remember that these frogs appreciate space for climbing, so regardless of the enclosure you choose, please keep that in mind.
When selecting a terrarium brand, consider one that has a drainage hole. This feature is invaluable for maintaining the proper moisture levels within your terrarium. Excess water can be removed easily when watering plants, preventing waterlogged substrate and maintaining the right humidity level. I will learn this the hard way as I did not select this, but later on in this blog, I will disclose a workaround!
Pacific Tree Frogs thrive in high humidity, so choosing an enclosure that allows you to control and maintain humidity effectively is essential. Look for a tank that allows you to cover most of the ventilation holes, as this step will help you create the stable, humid environment that these frogs love and require for their well-being. If you chose an Exo-terra tank you can place plastic wrap over the wire mesh lid, leaving the back vents open so you can still get an air current through the enclosure
The Do’s and Dont’s Of Backgrounds In Bioactive Enclosures
A naturalistic background not only enhances the aesthetics of your terrarium but also serves as a functional element in your Pacific Tree Frogs habitat. It provides additional climbing opportunities and mimics their natural environment, making your frogs feel right at home.
For this aspect of your bioactive terrarium, there are various methods to choose from. In my setup, I opted for an expanding foam background, using Great Stuff expanding foam in Black. This foam provides an excellent base for creating a three-dimensional backdrop, and it dries entirely inert (meaning 100% safe). However, if I were to do it again, I might consider using compressed cork bark panels for a slightly different texture and appearance. Expanding foam has a history of shrinking and expanding, and over time this will cause it to separate from the glass panels of your terrarium. Compressed cork bark is easily siliconed in place, is more rigid, and is resistant to humidity and temperature fluctuations.
To create the background, its important to secure the foam in place. One effective way to do this is by applying a bead of silicone around the entire edge of the foam. This ensures it remains stable and doesnt shift within the enclosure. When the silicone is still wet, you can sprinkle dirt or New Zealand Tree Fern Fiber onto it, adding a more natural-looking seam to your foam.
Once the foam has cured for 24hrs, you can get creative. I used a wire brush attached to a drill to carve out the foam, shaping it to my liking. This step allows for the creation of various nooks, crannies, and climbing opportunities that your Pacific Tree Frogs will enjoy. I made sure to press some biodegradable flower pots into the foam so I could attach plants to the background, as well as provide habitats at different levels of the enclosure so my frogs could regulate their temperatures.
After sculpting the foam, its time to add color and texture. I used Drylock Masonry Paint in combination with Quikrete Cement Coloring to achieve a natural and visually appealing look. Remember to let this layer dry and cure for 7 days before proceeding to the next step, and follow the recommended temperatures for applying it as a fall frog build in the cooler weather means it will take longer to dry.
One crucial detail often overlooked is the need to wash the background thoroughly. To remove any residual paint or chemicals, wash the background at least ten times or until the water stops bubbling off the background and running milky. This step ensures that no harmful substances leach into your Pacific Tree Frogs environment, as any left will cause your plants to burn when they touch the expanding foam panels.
Adult Pacific tree frog care guide for beginners
FAQ
Can I have a Pacific Tree Frog as a pet?
They can be found in gardens, forests, lakes, meadows, and anywhere that has plenty of water for them to soak in. If you want to keep a Pacific tree frog as a pet, you’ll need to create a safe enclosure for them, maintain it properly, and feed them regularly to keep your frog happy and healthy.
What do Pacific tree frogs need to survive?
Tree frogs spend most of their lives outside of water but in damp areas. If the area is too dry, the Pacific Tree Frog will only be active during the night when they are able to escape the intensity of the sun. The Pacific Tree Frogs also need to be in an area with a food supply.
What is the lifespan of a Pacific tree frog?
Life Cycle
The tadpoles metamorphose into tiny froglets within 3 months after hatching. On average, Pacific treefrogs live up to 5 to 7 years in the wild. In captivity, they have been known to live for 9 years.
Do Pacific tree frogs like water?
This species is prolific and the tadpoles are usually the most common amphibian larvae at any breeding site. Transformed treefrogs are terrestrial but need to be in moist microhabitats or near water. Terrestrial habitats include wet and dry forests, prairies, alpine areas, and both shrubland and grassland communities.