The American Green Tree Frog, an arboreal amphibian, is a common species belonging to the genus Hyla. Native to the south-eastern parts of the United States, it can also be found, though in smaller numbers in Puerto Rico and may be also in Mexico and it is not an endangered species. The natural habitat of the American Green Tree Frog is swamps, marshes, and the edges of ponds, lakes, and streams, particularly where there are abundant small trees or shrubs. The name tree frog, or tree toad, designates any of various small arboreal amphibians of the family Hylidae, which are characterized for having long toes terminating in adhesive disks. The family Hylidae has about 300 species distributed throughout tropical and temperate regions of Southeast Asia and Australia and especially of America. This beautiful creature is a popular species of pet frog.

American Green Tree Frogs are medium-sized, arboreal, bright green frogs, quite attractive, with smooth skin and large adhesive toe pads. They reach 4 cm to 5 cm (1.5 and 2 inches). Their colour shades range from bright yellowish olive to lime green, the ventral side being white or pale yellow. Generally they have a cream or yellow stripe that runs from the jaw or upper lip, down to their hind legs. Some can also display small yellow spots on their backs. Albino Green Tree Frogs can also be found. American Green Tree Frogs can change colour depending on temperature, lighting, humidity and the colour of their environment. However, extreme changes in colour, such as becoming and staying a very yellow-green or a dark brown, may be an indicator of stress or illness. Males distinguish from females by their wrinkled throats, which indicate the vocal swell. They are also slightly smaller than females.

American Green Tree Frogs are nocturnal frogs and feed at night on small insects such as crickets. They are quite and in their habitats they can be heard calling at night in the spring and early summer. The males’ voice is really loud, making a sound that looks somewhat like “quacking”.

As it happens with all amphibians American Green Tree Frogs have  very sensitive skin, which absorb chemicals very easily. Therefore, handling should be avoided as much as possible and only with latex gloves that have been very well rinsed in clean water for any soap or lotion residue can be damaging to the frog. Owners must make sure that there always is a thin layer of water between the frog and their hand.

American Green Tree Frogs reach sexual maturity at approximately 1 year of age, the mating period occurring from mid-April to mid-August. A female can lay up to 400 eggs in shallow, still, water, the eggs sticking to the roots of aquatic plants. Hatching happens within a week and pollywogs transform between 55 to 63 days after hatching.

American Green Tree Frogs are pretty hardy, providing they have not been exposed to too much stress in shipping. Practically all green tree frogs available are wild-caught and a good number of them are mishandled. Prospective owners should look for any signs of mishandling such as unusual swelling, open soars, severe rostral abrasions or irregular coloration and monitor them closely for some weeks after the purchase.

Habitat: large, unheated glass tank, out of direct sunlight, with a minimum capacity of 10 gallon. Additional 5 gallons are required per extra animal.  Tank should be taller than it is longer. A screen top is also required for security reasons and good ventilation.

Substrate: smooth gravel, cypress mulch, indoor/outdoor carpeting or reptile carpeting. The substrate can largely be covered with moss and cork bark.

Decoration: Live or artificial plants for climbing, driftwood, cork bark sticks and branches. Live plants free from pesticides and other materials well disinfected.

Temperature: Gradient. Higher end of the range for summer, lower end for winter
Day:  25.5- 26.7C (78-80F) basking spot; 24.5-25.5C (76-78F) on the opposite end of the tank.
Night: 21-24C (70 – 75F).

Lighting: No supplemental UVA/UVB light is required for American green tree frogs are nocturnal.

Humidity: 30 to 50% (higher end of range for summer and lower end for winter) by misting cage daily with dechlorinated water. Large, shallow (these frogs are not good swimmers), sturdy water dish with dechlorinated water for soaking and defecation.

Habitat cleaning: Weekly: tank walls sprayed with warm, treated water and wiped down; Monthly: tanks walls cleaned with Nolvasan or equivalent; Quarterly:  total tank cleaning including its contents. Dead insects and feces must be removed when found. Change substrate whenever soiled.

Insectivores.  Small insects like crickets, moths, flies, etc.
Calcium and multi-vitamin supplements about 3 times a week and other small invertebrates.

Suitable for beginners.

Cautions: Use rubber gloves when handling, keeping always a thin layer of water between the frog and the hand.