How to care for Milk Frog
Also known as the panda bear tree frog due to the contrasting black and white coloration of juveniles, Milk Frogs are an enjoyable frog to keep. They are hardy and regularly available, While not as common as the more familiar White's tree frog, their captive care is similar, and with a little care, you can keep milk frogs relatively easily. Their care is uncomplicated, and they are rewarding pet frogs and enjoyable to watch at night while moving about their cage and interacting with each other.
Milk Frog Size
Adult male milk frogs can reach 2-3 inches in length. Females will be larger and can grow to 4 inches. Large-bodied, with big hands for climbing, large toe-pads, and an overall plump appearance.
Milk Frog Life Span
Milk frogs can live for 8-10 years or more. A varied diet and optimal cage conditions such as vitamin supplementation, UVB lighting, and correct temperatures will contribute to a long-lived captive frog.
Milk Frog Caging
A standard 20-gallon Terrarium is enough for one-two adult milk frogs while a larger 30 Gallon is big enough for a group of five-six. Babies should be housed in smaller enclosures such as 10-gallon terrariums so that they can be monitored easily. Use a screen cover to provide proper ventilation, which will help prevent mold growth.
Bedding should be moist coconut fiber or sphagnum moss, such as the Milk frogs are arboreal and in nature rarely come down from their home in the trees, which is why they require extra habitat equipment, decorations and supplies. Provide plenty of perches above the ground, such as cork bark, magnetic ledges, or artificial plants. Live plants can also be used but may require special lighting. If using live plants, select hardy varieties like large-leafed Philodendron or bromeliads.
Milk frogs spend much of their time around large water-filled tree holes that they also breed in, In captivity, a large water dish will serve the same purpose, magnetic dishes with water cups are an excellent addition for higher in the cage. Change the water daily and use tap water that has been dechlorinated with a water conditioner. The entire cage should be cleaned every 4-6 weeks. Do Not use soap when cleaning the cage and instead use hot water or reptile cage cleaners to help remove waste if necessary.
Milk Frog Temperature and Humidity
Allow an area of the cage to reach 80-85°F during the day, with other cooler parts of the cage staying around 70-75°F. Night time temperatures can fall to 65°-70°F. Incandescent light bulbs can be used for heating if needed. Make sure to use an accurate thermometer to measure the temperature.
Humidity levels of 50-90% are suitable. Mist the cage daily to increases humidity using a spray bottle or auto mister. You can use dechlorinated tap water, distilled, or reverse-osmosis (RO) water for misting.
Milk Frog Lighting
It is an excellent idea to provide UVB lighting for milk frogs in captivity. Use a UVB bulb that is 2.0 or 5.0 strength and positioned over a screen section of the cage. The UVB bulb should be replaced every 6-12 months. You can also use additional lights with a color temperature in the 5000-6500K range to aid in the growth of live plants.
Milk Frog Food
Feed milk frogs a variety of insects. Flightless fruit flies and small Crickets can be fed to young frogs. Offer food to juveniles daily. Adults will eat larger Crickets, Phoenix Worms, Dubia roaches, and Wax Worms, rotate the diet regularly. Adults only need to be fed around two to three days per week, with 3-10 food items per frog each feeding.
It is essential to use a vitamin and mineral supplement powder to prevent nutritional problems, such as bone loss. Cover food in this powder at every feeding for juveniles and every other feeding for adults.
Milk Frog Handling
Don't handle frogs except when necessary, such as when removing frogs to clean the enclosure or examine their health. Like all amphibians, milk frogs have skin that is very sensitive and damaged easily. Wet your hands before handling to avoid irritating their skin.
Milk Frog Behavior
Milk frogs are nocturnal and generally remain asleep during the day. They often hide inside hollow cork bark or other structures in until night. At night they become active, and this is the best time to observe them. Many milk frogs will also awaken during the day after the terrarium has been misted with water or if they are being fed.
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