White or Wrong

[Surrealasm]

My girlfriend wants to buy me a tree frog for the vivarium I'm constructing. I'm still a novice. ive been keeping Ceratophrys and bombina amidst other pets and plants.

Now, ive told her I'm constructing my enclosure for a whites tree frog, however shes insisting I should get something more exotic.

What do y'all think? Should I play it safe with whites, or could y'all give me another recommendation for a relatively easy to keep but more exotic tree frog.

[JHansson514]

Personally, I think White's are great and an excellent pet. I wouldn't necessarily say White's are "safe." Yes, they are a hardier frog, but they still need attentive care just like any other frog. Saying a White's is safe is kinda like saying a Betta is basic. They are both amazing critters in their own ways. Plus, White's have killer personalities. The only thing I would be cautious of with the White's in a vivarium is their size. White's get large so you just want to make sure your plants can handle the abuse and that there is plenty of wood (or whatever) for the frog to climb on.

My opinion aside, you have to make sure whatever frog you decide to get, it is something that you want. You are the one (I'm assuming) who is going to be taking care of the frog, so you have to make sure you are willing to do whatever is necessary to care for the frog, White's or not. And not to sound rude or harsh, but I know many people who have bought pets because their partner wanted them too. The partner leaves and then they're left with the animal. Again, just make sure it is something that you want.

[Surrealasm]

Well the original idea for an arboreal amphibian was my idea, so yeah its definitely something I want.

I recently bought her a flying squirrel so shes looking to return the favor.

I'm building in a 30 gallon tall shaped aquarium.

Ive seen some amazon milk frogs at my favorite boutique, and the employees said its care was similar to White's. Is this true? Are there any other neat non-whites with similar care requirements?

[JHansson514]

I don't know much about milk frogs. Someone else will have to answer that one for you. Another type of frog that I think is great is the Orange-Legged Monkey Tree Frogs (Phyllomedusa Hypochondrialis). They are smaller than White's, but they like the arboreal setup and have striking color on their legs.

[DonLisk]

The care of any of these frogs is all about having a viv that is maintained with the right humidity, temps, and routine maintenance. So, as long as your building the viv to suit a tree frog, then you should be fine with most any tree frog.

The biggest difference in these frogs is that Whites are the thrashers of a viv over most other tree frogs. I love Whites since they are so active, but your plants are not going to like them :-) Bromelaids, Snake Plant and Pothos are pretty much the only plants that hold up to a WTFs antics.

[Surrealasm]

The biggest difference in these frogs is that Whites are the thrashers of a viv over most other tree frogs. I love Whites since they are so active, but your plants are not going to like them :-) Bromelaids, Snake Plant and Pothos are pretty much the only plants that hold up to a WTFs antics.

Thanks Don, extremely useful knowledge right there.

Appreciate the info from both of ya'll, I'll start doing more investigation and research.

[kueluck]

Also take into consideration how you plan on interacting with the frog. Is the frog for looking at only or do you plan to handle it.

[ViperJr]

Also take into consideration how you plan on interacting with the frog. Is the frog for looking at only or do you plan to handle it.

If I may add my opinion:
If the plan is to handle it, plan another pet

[kueluck]

And what's wrong with handling frogs? Mine will climb up onto my hand and push their belly against the skin for warmth. And the toads, when not underground, come out of their tank each night for a good hop around the living room. I'm not talking 'bout naming him George and hug him and pet him and squeeze him (Classic Looney Tunes). From what I've read on other types of frog they are for display only. That's all I'm talking about.

[ViperJr]

And what's wrong with handling frogs? Mine will climb up onto my hand and push their belly against the skin for warmth. And the toads, when not underground, come out of their tank each night for a good hop around the living room. I'm not talking 'bout naming him George and hug him and pet him and squeeze him (Classic Looney Tunes). From what I've read on other types of frog they are for display only. That's all I'm talking about.

Please note that this is my personal opinion on this particular subject. I'm not claiming that I'm right and that you are wrong, just want to explain what I meant since you asked

"What's wrong" with handling frogs have a quite simple answer, which I will divide in two parts.

1. Will it somehow be beneficial for the frog? No.
- Best case scenario, it will not hurt the frog, but that's it.

2. Can it potentially be dangerous for the frog? Yes.
- Increased stress
- Harmful substances absorbed through the skin
- Physical danger (like ii the frog is dropped)

This is enough reason for me to never handle my frogs. Since they will not gain anything from it, but may be harmed by it, I do not see why "pet" frogs should ever be handled (unless it's needed for another reason, like taking to the vet etc.)


(Another reason why I think "pet" is a bad word for frogs in captivity, since it kind of implies you'll be petting i. The Swedish word "Husdjur" is better, only implying that it's an animal within a house. But now I'm drifting like never before...)

[Surrealasm]

Okay ya'll, so back to my initial querry,

I have been checking out some other species and all that, but for some reason I just really like the Whites tree frog. My girlfriend is just going to have to deal with it.

Now I'm planning my tank construction process and I've come upon another problematic subject...

It seems like White's are relatively messy... and that could be a problem because I'm very pro-live plants.
What is y'alls experience with White's tree frogs destroying your live plants?
Are there any types of plants that are hardier than others?
Finally, if live plants aren't going to work, what are some other tastefull decorative objects I should plan to utilize in my tank design?

I know that Don responded above with a few live plant suggestions, but I was wondering if anyone else had some good ideas/personal experience.

[GrifTheGreat]

Don has a lot of experience with tree frogs. If you want live plants and a Whites Tree frog. I would go with the plants that Don mentioned. Drift wood is a good item to add for climbing. I do not own Whites or tree frogs, but many member of the forum do. Whites are large and heavy bodied. Those are the only live plants that are safe for amphibians that will be able to hold the frog and not die off from their brutal plant thrashing.

[mommyof4froglovers]

I will say I love whites. Our whites belong to my children, but I care for them because my children are 6, 5, 3 and 1. My kids love them and they hang out and they look in the tank to find them. We dont handle unless needed to feed or move them to clean the tank. I have on live plant, I think I am killing it. But the frogs love the plant. I put lots of plants up high but they are the large leafed fake plants. Read the care sheet and you will get great advice.

[JHansson514]

White's are definitely plant crushers. I agree with the plants Don suggested and drift wood is great in the tank! Black Jungle Terrarium Supply - The Natural Choice! has a bunch of great options for plants. I don't necessarily agree with all their suggestions for White's habitats, but it will give you an idea of what's out there and what you may or may not like.

[Surrealasm]

So if this is the case, is it necessary to construct false bottom for their vivarium? I mean I know its not really necessary but is it just pointless?

[Shanny]

My partner kind of reacted the same way when I showed her I wanted a whites tree frog. She was freaked out by it and seemed to tolerate something "more pretty" and cool looking. So I ended up getting red eye tree frogs, which I love. Yes she does not do any of the care or up keep, but it was a compromise because she said if she had it her way, that there would be no tanks in the house just because she can't stand the crickets... Haha that is a whole nother subject all together, and I've been doing all I can to keep crickets from escaping or catching them up before she sees that one has gotten out.
I like the whites, think they're adorable, but I'm glad I went with her suggestion.
Do whatever fits you best

Oh, btw, waxy monkey tree frogs are pretty sweet and get big like whites if not bigger. Maybe take a look at those guys

[Surrealasm]

Haha that story sounds very familiar... luckily shes gotten somewhat used to the crickets and she thinks my pacman toads are cute. The monkey frog does seem like a great option though.

Is there any big difference between waxxy and striped monkey frogs?

[Shanny]

Waxy monkey get bigger than the tiger leg (striped) tree frog, those tiger leg tree frogs are usually smaller than red eye tree frogs too. The waxy monkey are pretty sweet, they love to perch on tops of trees or sticks. Great at eating from tongs too lol! I wish I had room for a bigger terrarium so I could get a few. They kind of remind me of whites just because they are bigger and look chubby