Giant leaf frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor)

Short answers

Giant leaf frog: How big does the enclosure need to be?

60×45×90 cm (height).

Giant leaf frog: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 20–23 °C.

Giant leaf frog: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 2–5 %).

Giant leaf frog: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–15 years.

Giant leaf frog: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

70–85 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 2–5 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

60×45×90 cm (height)

Substrate

Coco humus, sturdy branches, large leaves, a water section

Feeding

Food

House crickets, crickets, roaches

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

9–12 cm

Life expectancy

8–15 years

Origin

The Amazon basin

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

A pair or a small group. Only put together animals of the same species and roughly the same size — smaller ones will otherwise be treated as food. Offer enough hiding places so that every animal can retreat, and feed them separately when they differ in size.

Notes

The largest leaf frog in captivity; it climbs slowly and grasping rather than jumping. Its skin secretion ("kambo") is pharmacologically highly active and dangerous to humans – never rub the animals down or "milk" them, and wash your hands thoroughly after contact.

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

• Waxy monkey tree frog (Phyllomedusa sauvagii) – Intermediate
• Red-eyed tree frog (Litoria chloris) – Intermediate
• European tree frog (Hyla arborea) – Beginner to 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 Giant leaf frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×45×90 cm (height)), substrate (Coco humus, sturdy branches, large leaves, a 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.