Amphibians
Red-eyed tree frog care guide
Agalychnis callidryas
A nocturnal, leaf-sleeping tree frog. Look-don't-touch.
Arboreal — vertical height first
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Red-eyed tree frog enclosure size
Arboreal — vertical height first. An adult red-eyed 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).
- Hatchling / baby
- 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 12" L × 12" 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
Most amphibians need no added heat in a normal room; avoid heat lamps that dry the enclosure. Use a thermostat on any heat source.
- Basking / warm surface
- No basking spot
- Warm side (ambient)
- 75–80°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 70–75°F
- Night
- 65–72°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Low-level UVB 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 60–80%. Evening misting and live broad-leaved plants.
Substrate and depth
Bioactive soil with leaf litter. Depth: 2–3 in.
Diet and feeding
Gut-loaded insects (crickets, dubia, worms) dusted with calcium; vitamins weekly.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Branches and foliage for climbing and cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly.
Red-eyed tree frog FAQ
How big should an adult Red-eyed 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 a Red-eyed tree frog need?
Basking or warm surface No basking spot, warm side 75–80°F, cool side 70–75°F, night 65–72°F. Most amphibians need no added heat in a normal room; avoid heat lamps that dry the enclosure. Use a thermostat on any heat source.
Does a Red-eyed tree frog need UVB?
Low-level UVB beneficial. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Red-eyed tree frog need?
60–80%. Evening misting and live broad-leaved plants.
What substrate is best for a Red-eyed tree frog?
Bioactive soil with leaf litter, at a depth of 2–3 in.
How big does a Red-eyed tree frog enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own red-eyed tree frog record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.