The Clown Tree Frog

Common Name: Clown Tree Frog, Clown Leaf Frog
Scientific Name: Dendropsophus leucophyllatus, formerly Hyla leucophyllata
Description: They have a darker brown base color with yellow, tan or cream markings.
Range: Common in the tropical lowlands of the Amazon Basin of South America, Peru, Guyanas.
Habitat: Around forest clearings with ponds in the Amazon rainforest.
Age: They live at least four to five years in captivity.
Size: Most never exceed a couple of inches in total snout-to-vent length.
Call: A distinctive raspy call with a harsh primary note followed immediately by several equally raspy but shorter notes. Clown tree frogs vocalize when barometric pressure changes accompany an approaching storm.
Breeding: Breeds around temporary forest pools or “floating meadows.” A floating meadow is an oxbow or slow-water area of a river where the surface is covered by floating plants. At the right times, large breeding aggregations of clown tree frogs can be observed with hundreds of frogs participating in the event.
Egg Clutch: Eggs are deposited on leaves of floating aquatic plants immediately above water. Hatching tadpoles drop into the water and live along the bottom of the aquatic system. Average clutches in captivity typically range from 400 to 600 small eggs.
Sleep Cycle: Nocturnal
Feeding: Crickets daily, fruit flies for smaller frogs. Dust crickets every other feeding with Heptivite vitamin and mineral supplement. You can also use Rep-Cal calcium supplements every third feeding.
Care: Live plants with the leaves should be large and strong enough to hold the frogs’ weight. Regular access to clean, fresh water is a must.
Terrarium: Clown tree frogs do well in a taller vivarium. Try to provide at minimum 30 inches of height from the substrate. These frogs thrive in a vivarium with controlled ventilation so as to allow the slow turnover of air with the maintenance of an internal microclimate having a higher humidity.
Lighting: A full-spectrum fluorescent bulb and a 12-hour light-dark schedule.
Temperature: 70-85F The nighttime temperatures not below the low 70s (Fahrenheit). Daytime temperatures should not exceed the mid-80s.
Humidity: 70-100% Maintain humidity by misting the enclosure once a day.
Discussion: The Clown Tree Frog (Dendropsophus leucophyllatus) originating in South America not to be confused with the Cameroon Clown Tree Frog (Afrixalus Paradorsalis) of Africa. Clown Tree Frogs are recognized by their very colorful skin patterns. The patterns can be quite variable. Clown Tree Frogs are common in the tropical lowlands of the Amazon Basin of South America.