Brown banana frog (Afrixalus dorsalis)

Short answers

Brown banana frog: How big does the enclosure need to be?

50×40×50 cm for a group, planted.

Brown banana frog: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 23–28 °C, basking spot No basking spot — direct heat is harmful, at night 19–22 °C.

Brown banana frog: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Weak UVB recommended (UVB 2.0).

Brown banana frog: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 5–10 years.

Brown banana frog: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

23–28 °C

Night temperature

19–22 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot — direct heat is harmful

Humidity

80–95 %

UVB

Weak UVB recommended (UVB 2.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

50×40×50 cm for a group, planted

Substrate

Forest-floor substrate with a drainage layer, moss, leaf litter and a shallow water section

Feeding

Food

Crickets, house crickets, fruit flies and firebrats, dusted regularly with calcium and vitamins

Feeding interval

adults 3–4×/week

Key facts

Adult size

2,0–3,0 cm

Life expectancy

5–10 years

Origin

West Africa

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

No winter rest

Cohabitation

A group. Raise juveniles separately from adults. Not because they would be eaten - these animals are far too small for that - but because the larger ones reach food first and the small ones fall behind. Offer enough hiding spots so each animal can retreat, and feed separately if sizes differ.

Notes

It rolls its eggs up in leaves — so the enclosure needs broad-leaved plants above the water.

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

• Greater leaf-folding frog (Afrixalus fornasini) – Intermediate
• Argus reed frog (Hyperolius argus) – Intermediate
• Yellow-spotted tree frog (Leptopelis flavomaculatus) – Intermediate
• Common reed frog (Hyperolius viridiflavus) – Intermediate
• Water lily reed frog (Hyperolius pusillus) – Intermediate
• Spotted reed frog (Hyperolius puncticulatus) – Intermediate
• Marbled reed frog (Hyperolius marmoratus) – Intermediate
• Red-legged running frog (Kassina maculata) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Brown banana frog (Afrixalus dorsalis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (50×40×50 cm for a group, planted), substrate (Forest-floor substrate with a drainage layer, moss, leaf litter and a shallow water section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.