Red-eyed Tree Frog

1 Overview

The red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas) is a large tree frog that eats anything that fits and moves – including its own tadpoles – but only live prey (it cannot detect still food).

Actually a hylid tree frog (the name ‘red-eyed tree frog’ is a misnomer; it is not a Rhacophorus). Found in Central American rainforests (Costa Rica, Mexico) with some in northern South America, slightly different colour. Populations are large, so it is not CITES-listed. Fully nocturnal, large arboreal.

SOURCE NOTE: it is an amphibian (not a reptile). Family Hylidae.

2 Appearance

A medium-large tree frog; green back is camouflage. The standout is the big orange protruding eyes. Sides are purple or blue with orange toes bearing white stripes – blending with rock or tree backgrounds.

Lives in hot, humid, rainy Central American rainforest where deforestation shrinks its home. Big cup-like toe pads help climb and catch insects. At night skin darkens to hide from predators; by day it glows green like a leaf. When sleeping curled on a leaf, the bright sheen fades, red eyes tuck in, legs fold under. Push it and the red eyes pop wide, slender legs extend. The bright colours may startle predators, buying escape time.

3 Habitat & Environment

Simple or hard; a near-natural setup raises success. For adults use a tank about 70x25x50 cm; top screen controls humidity (avoid fast evaporation). Native humidity: about 80% in rainy season (Dec-Apr), 30-50% dry; adjust accordingly.

Easy setup: damp thick paper towels as substrate, a water dish for soaking, bark or plants to climb or rest. Spray daily, change paper or water daily, clean tank every few days. For a natural look, 2-3 cm fine gravel plus moss plus an earth-coloured water dish; use plants that grow up without rotting roots (e.g. heartleaf philodendron). Rinse plants fully – fertiliser or pesticide is toxic to frogs.

Light: nocturnal, no full-spectrum needed, but a low-watt full-spectrum lamp by day helps plants and looks. At night switch to low-watt red light. Temperature: day 24-30 C, night 18-24 C; use low-watt lamps or under-tank heat mat; monitor with a thermometer – prolonged high heat kills quickly.

4 Diet & Feeding

Any live prey it can swallow: flies, moths, grasshoppers, crickets, other small frogs. Feed at night; adults 3-5 medium crickets, 2-3x weekly; hatchlings small crickets. Guts-load crickets with carrot or veg for colour; dust with 70% Rep-Cal vitamin plus 30% Rep-Cal calcium weekly. Fruit flies for variety. Remove leftovers to keep water clean.

5 Care (Sexing)

Hard to sex when young; adults differ by size – females are at least one-third larger than males (unlike dogs or cats where males are bigger).