Amphibians
American green tree frog care guide
Dryophytes cinereus
A small, bright green climbing frog that's easy to keep in a tall planted terrarium. It likes to sit high by day and hunt at night.
Arboreal — vertical height first
American green tree frog enclosure size
Arboreal — vertical height first. An adult american green tree frog should live in at least 18" L × 18" W × 24" H; we build toward 18" L × 18" W × 24" H (1.5 × 1.5 × 2 ft, roughly 2.3 sq ft of floor and about a 34-gallon glass equivalent).
Height matters most; a small group fits an 18×18×24.
- Hatchling / baby
- 12" L × 12" W × 18" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 18" L × 18" W × 18" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 18" H
- Adult
- 18" L × 18" W × 24" H recommended · min 18" L × 18" W × 24" H
Temperature and heating
Usually room heat is enough. Any heat source must be on a thermostat.
- Basking / warm surface
- Slightly warmer top area around 80°F
- Warm side (ambient)
- 75–80°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 70–75°F
- Night
- 65–70°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Low UVB (2–5%) is beneficial. Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 50–70%. Mist once or twice a day and keep a water dish; let it dry slightly between mistings.
Substrate and depth
Coco fiber or bioactive mix with leaf litter. Depth: 2–3 in.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Vertical branches
- Broad-leaf plants
- Water dish
- Cork tubes
Build list
- Digital hygrometer + thermometer — Read humidity and temperature instead of guessing.
- Water conditioner / RO water — Chlorine and chloramine burn permeable skin.
American green tree frog FAQ
How big should an adult American green tree frog enclosure be?
At least 18" L × 18" W × 24" H, and we recommend building to 18" L × 18" W × 24" H — about 1.5 × 1.5 × 2 ft, or a 34-gallon glass equivalent. Arboreal — vertical height first.
What temperatures does an American green tree frog need?
Basking or warm surface Slightly warmer top area around 80°F, warm side 75–80°F, cool side 70–75°F, night 65–70°F. Usually room heat is enough. Any heat source must be on a thermostat.
Does an American green tree frog need UVB?
Low UVB (2–5%) is beneficial. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does an American green tree frog need?
50–70%. Mist once or twice a day and keep a water dish; let it dry slightly between mistings.
What substrate is best for an American green tree frog?
Coco fiber or bioactive mix with leaf litter, at a depth of 2–3 in.
How big does an American green tree frog enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 12" L × 12" W × 18" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Is there anything to be careful about when keeping an American green tree frog?
Wash hands before and after handling, never use soap or untreated tap water, and keep handling to a minimum.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own american green tree frog record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.