Litoria caerulea
Australian green tree frog
0 active listings · Amphibians · amphibians
Category
Amphibians
Origin
Australia and Papua New Guinea
About the species
The Australian green tree frog (Litoria caerulea) is an arboreal tree frog. Some scientific treatments use Ranoidea caerulea; Terra Market keeps the canonical identity Litoria caerulea and treats the newer combination as synonym context only. The native range covers Australia and New Guinea. Introduced populations outside that range do not enter the map as native occurrence. Adults usually reach about 8–12 cm. In the field it sits on trunks, around buildings, and near water, and is mainly nocturnal.
Origin and distribution
Australia and Papua New Guinea
It occurs naturally in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Current listings
No active listings.
Care at a glance
Size
Adults usually approx. 8–12 cm body length
Enclosure type
Tall and arboreal, with ventilation and solid perches
Temperature
Day usually approx. 24–28°C; a night drop of a few degrees
Humidity
A cycle: mist and dry-down; a permanent sauna spoils the skin
Furnishings
Thick branches, plants, a large water bowl, and day hides
Characteristics
Nocturnal and arboreal, usually calm; males have a loud call
Care and behaviour
Litoria caerulea needs height and thick perches. A typical minimum for one adult is about 45×45×60 cm, taller is better. Ventilation is mandatory: wet, still air favours skin infections. A large, clean water bowl is for drinking and soaking; the water must not bloom. Plants and cork give day shade. Australia on the map is the mainland-plus-Tasmania pack from 010A, not the Ashmore speck.
Food is larger invertebrates: crickets, roaches, locusts, and only rarely softened rodents for very large females — not as a daily staple. Juveniles eat more often; adults usually every 2–3 days. Calcium on most feeds, multivitamin periodically. Obesity is more common than starvation. Do not hand-feed until the frog opens its mouth at every movement.
The frog is nocturnal and usually gentle, but the skin is permeable: creams and soap on hands are harmful. Males call loudly. Do not release this species in Europe — an introduction is not “enriching the fauna”.
Good to know
Litoria caerulea is not currently listed on the CITES Appendices. National rules still apply. Ranoidea caerulea is synonym context, not a new Terra Market identity. The map shows Australia and New Guinea; introductions outside that range are not native occurrence.