Description: Also known as the File-eared tree frog. A unique tree frog from parts of Sumatra, Malaysia and Indonesia where it is common in lowland forest areas that have been altered by man. Mostly arboreal, they live in bushes and trees, usually near the pools of water that they breed in. A distinguishing feature is the bony ridges behind the eyes that look like ears. Body shape is robust and the fingers and toes have adhesive pads. Basic color is tan, gray or yellowish with thin dark, wavy lines running down the body and stripes on the thighs. Maximum adult size for females is about 3 ¾" with males reaching a little over 3". These frogs produce a musty odor.

Temperature: Daytime 75° to 80°F with about a 5° to 10°F drop at night. A temperature gradient should be provided throughout the enclosure.

Humidity: High, best at 70 to 80%.

Lighting: Plant grow lights are necessary for live plants. Use a timer to provide an average day length of 12 hours. Seasonal fluctuations may help to stimulate breeding activity. A dim night light is required for viewing nocturnal activities.

Feeding: Appropriately sized crickets are fine as a staple diet but a variety of other insects should be offered. A good vitamin/mineral supplement should be given twice a week for adults and more often for young, growing frogs. Clean water should be available at all times.

Habitat: A tank size of at least twenty gallons will suffice for one or two frogs, a larger tank may be needed for breeding. Set it up as an arboreal jungle habitat with sturdy, large leaf plants and climbing branches. A good size water area, that has shallow areas and is 3" to 5" in the deep area, is preferred over a water dish, especially if trying to breed them. These frogs do poorly under unsanitary conditions or overcrowding, so good tank maintenance is absolutely required.

Seasonal Variations: In the wild, breeding is known to occur during April, May and June. Lower the humidity and reduce the temperatures for 1 to 3 months prior to breeding attempts.

Sexing: Females are larger and heavier than males. Males develop gray to yellowish nuptial pads on the first two fingers of the front feet at breeding time.

Breeding: Simulate the "wet" season by using a separate "rain chamber", where a pump continuously sprays the tank down with water for most of the night. Shut the pump down after about a week and breeding should occur within a few days, if not, go back to feeding them well and try again in a week. Males call during the night and if accepted by a female, amplexus will occur. A suitable spot about a foot above standing water will be found to build a foam nest. The female whips it up out of skin secretions with her back feet and blends the eggs into it. The male remains attached to her back to fertilize the eggs when they are laid. A surface crust forms on the nest within a few hours and it will start to deteriorate in a few days as the eggs hatch and the tadpoles drip down into the water. Sometimes the nest will detach and fall into the water.

The tadpoles grow to be 2 to 3" long and can be raised together in a standard aquarium filled with water. Feed them algae, tropical fish food flakes and frozen fish foods, etc.

ENJOY YOUR PET LIFE FORMS, Dave & Donna