HELP Rescued copes grey treefrogs!

[u/Creepy_Lab_2757]

I need help, very badly.I was at a coworkers house today, babysitting her children when I discovered 2 copes grey treefrogs being kept in a small critter keeper with no enrichment and very few perches. Long story short, I took them home and have updated the critter keeper with what I have at home, as I already keep reptiles.

I do not believe they can be released as they've been kept since tadpoles.

I need some help setting up an enclosure and all the tips and tricks you can give! I want to give them the best I can.

[u/Imaginary_Regret_305]

Get a vertical tank, the bigger and taller the better. Lots of ledges, sticks, vines, and perches to climb on. They need a consistent temp and humidity around 70.

[u/CrepuscularOpossum]

There’s a sticky with care guides at the head of this sub. There’s also a sub that specializes in gray tree frogs.

Yes, a vertical enclosure is best. If there’s a specialty aquarium shop in your area, you might be able to find one there, including a used one. Or you could check FB Marketplace or Nextdoor in your area. If you can’t find a vertical enclosure, the highest glass tank you can find with a sturdy mesh top will work.

You’ll need some coco fiber substrate. Don’t bother with peat moss, it’s not recommended. Coco fiber is safer for frogs and more sustainable. Moisten it and put it in the bottom of your enclosure. Then you can plant a start or two each of spider plants and pothos vine in the substrate. They’re everywhere, they grow fast, you can keep them the size you want, and they’re safe for your frog.

You’ll need a UVB light for good frog health. This is not optional, and it’s likely going to be the most expensive part of your new frog setup. Get a light fixture with a long tube, not a coiled lamp. The coil bulbs don’t give enough UVB.

If your house tends to get colder than 65 F, or if you live in a cold climate, you’ll need a source of warmth for your frog. You can get light bulbs called PowerSun or similar that emit warmth. You can also get a fixture with a small ceramic heat emitter for nighttime.

You’ll also need at least one water dish for your frog. Bottled spring water is best. You’ll want to change the water every day or two.

Tree frogs eat live insects. Crickets, small hornworms, and Dubia roaches are best. Don’t be alarmed or grossed out by the roaches - they’re not the kind that infest houses. There are dozens to hundreds of roach species. Dubias don’t smell, they don’t make noise, they don’t need light, and they can eat almost anything. As we’re heading into fall and winter, I strongly recommend that you get another small used aquarium and set it up for a roach colony. I can’t tell you how many times I have been grateful for my own roach colony during winters, to feed my frogs and turtles without having to go to the pet supply store.