The Common Green Tree Frog (Pelodryas caerulea) is Australia's best-known amphibian, and for good reason. Large, placid, and famously long-lived, it is as forgiving a frog as you will find in captivity. Adults commonly reach 10 to 12 cm in females (males are smaller), and with proper care they regularly live 15 to 20 years or more. Choose captive-bred animals for the best start.
In Queensland a licence is required to keep native frogs. See our Queensland Reptile Licence Guide.
Before You Read Further
Two rules apply to all frog keeping and must be understood before anything else:
- Always use dechlorinated water. Frogs absorb everything through their skin, including tap water chlorine and chloramine, which are harmful at frog-skin contact. Use a water conditioner every time.
- Only use 2.0 UVB at most. High-intensity UVB (10.0 and similar) can damage frog skin and eyes. Never use reptile desert UVB lamps for frogs.
Enclosure
A tall vivarium is more valuable than a wide one for a climbing species. A good minimum for a small group of 3 to 4 adults is around 45 x 45 x 60 cm. Larger groups or individual frogs do well in proportionally sized enclosures. Include sturdy branches and broad-leaved plants (real or artificial) for climbing and perching, at least one hide, and a moisture-holding substrate such as coconut fibre or a bioactive soil mix.
Provide a shallow water dish with dechlorinated water changed at least every 2 days. Ensure the dish has a gentle entry and exit point: frogs soak in their water dish regularly and must be able to get out.
Browse our terrarium range.
Temperature and Humidity
- Daytime temperature: 22 to 28°C
- Night: allow to drop a few degrees but avoid sustained temperatures below 15°C
- Humidity: 50 to 70%
In most Queensland homes, supplementary heating is not needed for most of the year. If your home drops significantly in winter, a low-wattage heat mat on the side of the enclosure (never underneath) on a thermostat provides gentle warmth. Maintain humidity by misting once or twice daily. The enclosure should dry partially between mistings rather than remaining constantly wet.
Browse our heating and thermostat range.
UVB Lighting
Low-level UVB is beneficial for long-term health and supports live plants. Use a 2.0 UVB tube on a 10 to 12 hour day/night cycle. This is the maximum appropriate output for frogs. Browse our UVB lighting range.
Feeding
Insectivores. Offer varied live insects appropriate to the frog's size: crickets, woodies, moths, and the occasional earthworm.
- Juveniles: daily, small insects.
- Adults: 2 to 3 times per week. Feed roughly 10 to 20% of the frog's body weight per feeding session. Green tree frogs are enthusiastic eaters and will readily overeat, so do not overfeed.
Gut-load feeder insects for 24 to 48 hours before use and dust with a calcium and multivitamin supplement at approximately every second feeding. Remove uneaten insects from the enclosure promptly, as they can disturb resting frogs. Browse our live feeders.
Handling
The Common Green Tree Frog is the most handleable of Australia's native frogs. They tolerate occasional, gentle handling well and most individuals become quite calm with regular calm contact. Always handle with clean, wet hands or powder-free wet gloves. Never handle with soap, sunscreen, or anything on your hands. Keep handling sessions brief and calm, and wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Biosecurity
Chytrid fungus is a real threat to native frog populations worldwide. Never release a captive frog or its enclosure water into the environment. Quarantine new arrivals away from existing collections. Clean and disinfect hands and equipment between enclosures. These practices protect both your frogs and wild populations.
Breeding
Green tree frogs breed seasonally following cooler temperatures and simulated rainfall (a rain chamber or heavy misting mimicking the wet season). Calling males pair with females who lay eggs in water. Tadpoles are raised in clean, well-oxygenated water and metamorphose into froglets over roughly 4 to 8 weeks. Breeding is rewarding but requires space, patience, and appropriate conditions.
Quick Reference
| Parameter | Target |
|---|---|
| Adult size | Up to 12 cm (females larger) |
| Lifespan | 15 to 20+ years |
| Enclosure (small group) | 45 x 45 x 60 cm minimum |
| Temperature | 22 to 28°C |
| Humidity | 50 to 70% |
| UVB | 2.0 only (never 10.0), 10 to 12 hrs/day |
| Water | Dechlorinated only, changed every 2 days |
| Feeding (adult) | 2 to 3 times per week |
Shop
- Terrariums and Reptile Supplies
- Low-level UVB Lighting
- Substrate and Plants
- Water Conditioner
- Heating (if needed)
- Live Feeders
- Calcium and Supplements
If you have questions about setting up a frog enclosure, our team is always happy to help.
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Individual animals vary and outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Always consult a qualified veterinarian for health concerns. A Queensland wildlife keeper's licence is required to purchase and keep Common Green Tree Frogs.
