American green tree frog (Hyla cinerea)

Short answers

American green tree frog: How big does the enclosure need to be?

45×45×60 cm for a single animal; at least 80×40×100 cm for a group of four to five animals (tall, with a water section).

American green tree frog: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–27 °C, basking spot Local warm spot 29–30 °C, readily used but not essential, at night 18–20 °C.

American green tree frog: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended (2–5 %).

American green tree frog: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 6–10 years.

American green tree frog: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–27 °C

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

Local warm spot 29–30 °C, readily used but not essential

Humidity

60–80 %

UVB

UVB recommended (2–5 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

45×45×60 cm for a single animal; at least 80×40×100 cm for a group of four to five animals (tall, with a water section)

Substrate

Coco humus or pine bark, damp; a large water section, plenty of planting to climb

Feeding

Food

Crickets, house crickets, roaches, wax moths; dust with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 2–3× a week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 3.2–6.4 cm (females noticeably larger than males)

Life expectancy

approx. 6–10 years

Origin

The south-east of the USA

Protection status

Not protected (not listed under CITES or German nature conservation law)

Brumation

Not necessary; for breeding stimulation, a few weeks to two months at around 15–18 °C with shortened lighting (8–10 instead of 12–14 hours)

Cohabitation

Keeping similarly sized animals in a group is straightforward. Avoid clearly different sizes — large tree frogs eat smaller ones.

Notes

A robust, long-lived beginner's frog. The males call loudly and persistently in the evening; you should have heard that before buying if the enclosure is going in the bedroom. Do not pick it up — the skin is permeable and sensitive to skin oils and soap residues.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

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Related species

• European tree frog (Hyla arborea) – Beginner to intermediate
• Mediterranean tree frog (Hyla meridionalis) – Intermediate
• Red-eyed tree frog (Litoria chloris) – Intermediate
• Fringed leaf frog (Cruziohyla craspedopus) – Expert
• Splendid leaf frog (Cruziohyla calcarifer) – Expert
• Gliding leaf frog (Agalychnis spurrelli) – Intermediate
• White's tree frog (Litoria caerulea) – Beginner
• Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep American green tree frog (Hyla cinerea) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (45×45×60 cm for a single animal; at least 80×40×100 cm for a group of four to five animals (tall, with a water section)), substrate (Coco humus or pine bark, damp; a large water section, plenty of planting to climb), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.