Whites Tree Frog (Litoria caerulea)

Common Name: White's Tree Frog
Scientific Name: Litoria caerulea
Source: WC
Adult Size: 10–12cm (females typically larger than males)
Native Range: Northern and eastern Australia, southern New Guinea

Enclosure: A minimum 60×45×60cm Viperia PVC vivarium for a single adult, with a pair or small group better suited to a 60×60×90cm Viperia PVC vivarium. As an arboreal (tree-dwelling) species, height is more important than floor space — include plenty of robust branches and cork bark for climbing, broad-leafed artificial or live plants for cover, and a deep leaf-litter or coconut fibre substrate to help retain moisture.
Heating: Ambient daytime temperature of 24–28°C, with a gentle warm end around 28°C; allow a natural drop to 18–22°C at night. Gentle overhead heating (a low-wattage heat mat on the back wall or a thermostat-controlled ceramic emitter) works well — avoid any direct basking hotspot that could dehydrate the frog.
Humidity: 50–70% during the day, rising to 80–100% at night. Achieve this with daily light misting (evening is ideal to mimic their natural crepuscular activity patterns), a moisture-retaining substrate, and good but not excessive ventilation to prevent stagnant, overly wet conditions.
UVB: A 2.4% UVB tube run along most of the vivarium's width, positioned so the animal can benefit from it at a distance of around 15–25cm. While White's Tree Frogs are crepuscular (most active at dusk and dawn) and do not bask intensively, low-level UVB supports general health and is considered best practice for captive amphibians.
Diet: Primarily live insects — appropriately sized crickets, locusts, and dubia roaches form the staple diet, with occasional waxworms or calci-worms as a treat. Feed juveniles daily and adults every 2–3 days. Dust prey with a calcium supplement at most feeds and a combined vitamin/mineral supplement once a week. White's Tree Frogs have hearty appetites and a tendency to overeat, so portion control is important — obesity is a common issue in captivity.

ABOUT THIS SPECIES

White's Tree Frogs are one of the most iconic and widely kept amphibians in the hobby, native to the humid forests and woodland margins of northern and eastern Australia and southern New Guinea. They are instantly recognisable by their plump, rounded build, smooth waxy-looking skin, and characteristic "dumpy" posture — it's no surprise they're often nicknamed the Dumpy Tree Frog. Their colouring typically ranges from a vivid emerald green to a softer blue-green, and their calm, almost docile personality makes them stand out among frogs.

White's Tree Frogs are an excellent choice for keepers of all experience levels — they are robust, tolerant of minor husbandry variations, and genuinely interactive in a way that many amphibians are not. They are best kept as the focus of a naturalistic vivarium setup rather than handled frequently, but they do habituate well to their keeper's presence and are endlessly entertaining to watch as they become active in the evenings.