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.

[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