Green Tree Frog
Hyla cinerea
Description
Green tree frogs, as the name implies, are a bright green, yellow-green or grey green on top with a white underbelly. They have a distinct light stripe along their upper jaw running the length of their body. Also they occasionally exhibit yellow or orange spotting on their backs. Albinos are bright yellow with red eyes and also usually display a lateral light stripe. Albinos will occasionally show white spotting on the back. Fully grown green tree frogs are between 3 and 6.5 centimeters long. In captivity they can live in excess of 6 years.
Habitat
Green tree frogs are endemic to the southern United States, from Delaware south to Florida, west to Texas and north through Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Tennessee. They prefer vegetation adjacent to permanent water sources such as ponds and streams and often congregate in these areas by the hundreds. They prefer swampy habitats with a high relative humidity, but are capable of adapting to more moderate climes.
Artificial Habitat
Green tree frogs prefer a lushly vegetated enclosure with good access to water. If placed in an aquarium they will spend the majority of their time stuck to the glass near the top. Virtually any common house plant will provide adequate shelter, but upright plants such as Ficus benjamina and bromeliads or hanging plants such as Pothos Epipremnum sp. tend to be preferred. Sticks, rocks, hollow logs or other tree detritus can also be used. Substrate can be soil, moss, leaf litter, newspaper, bare or even shallow water (provided that ample space is available to get out of the water). Do not use gravel as it can easily be inadvertently swallowed and cause impaction problems. A large water dish of at least 1 gallon should also be provided if no water habitat is provided.
Diet
Green tree frogs, like most frogs, are insectivorous. They eat virtually any type of insect including, but not limited to; moths, flies, crickets and grasshoppers. In captivity they can be fed virtually any insect, with crickets being the primary choice for ease. Like most herpetofauna, a green tree frog's diet should be supplemented with a good vitamin and mineral dust to maintain healthy animals.
Caveats
Green tree frogs have a very loud call, often likened to a dog barking or baby screaming. While many people enjoy this distinctive call, neighbors or non-frog enthusiasts may not. Although this call is usually made during mating season (between March and October, depending on weather), they occasionally call outside of this season.
Albino green tree frogs do not see as well as non-albino frogs. While this is not a problem if housing only albinos, if housing both regular and albino green tree frogs it is important to make sure there is adequate food for both types. NOTE: Usually in a captive setting this is not a problem because the prey cannot escape.
Why would I want a green tree frog?
Green tree frogs are one of the least expensive and most adaptable frogs to have as a first pet. Not only can they thrive in a ten-gallon aquarium, but they are also quite active at night. A green tree frog's call is distinctive and enjoyable if you love frogs. Albino green tree frogs have all of the same attributes as regular green tree frogs, they are just more unusual.