Description
Other Names (How it Got Its Names)
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Common names: Red-Eyed Tree Frog, Red-Eyed Leaf Frog.
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Named for its striking bright red eyes, used as a startle display against predators.
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Agalychnis means “splendid or shining frog,” and callidryas comes from Greek roots meaning “beautiful tree nymph.”
Characteristics
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Iconic arboreal frog recognized worldwide as a symbol of the rainforest.
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Nocturnal, resting by day on leaves with legs tucked in for camouflage.
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Known for its bright colors and dramatic eye-flash defense behavior.
Recommended Vivarium Size
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Minimum: 18” x 18” x 24” for 2–3 frogs.
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Larger vertical enclosures are preferred.
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Provide branches, cork, and large-leaf plants (like philodendron or pothos) for perching and egg deposition.
Temperature
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Daytime: 75–82°F (24–28°C).
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Nighttime: 68–74°F (20–23°C).
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Avoid sustained temps above 85°F.
Humidity
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70–90%, maintained with daily misting.
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Provide good ventilation along with live plants and a shallow water source.
Size of Frog
Life Span
Feeding
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Diet: crickets, roaches, moths, and other appropriately sized insects.
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Feed 3–4 times per week.
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Dust prey with calcium and vitamins 2–3 times per week.
Color/Pattern
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Bright green dorsal coloration, often with blue and yellow vertical striping on the flanks.
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Orange or red feet.
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Striking bright red eyes with vertical pupils.
Social Behavior
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Can be kept in small groups if enclosure is large and well-structured.
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Males call at night, especially during breeding conditions.
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Generally not aggressive.
How to Determine Sex
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Males: smaller, develop nuptial pads on forearms, and produce mating calls.
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Females: larger, bulkier, especially when carrying eggs.
How to Breed
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Triggered by simulated rainy-season conditions (increased misting, slightly higher humidity, and rain chamber setups).
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Males call loudly at night to attract females.
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Eggs are laid on leaves overhanging water; upon hatching, tadpoles drop into the water below.
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Tadpoles develop in aquatic setups until metamorphosis.
🌿 This is one of the most beginner-friendly tree frogs because of its hardiness, popularity, and recognizable beauty — often considered a “flagship species” for amphibian enthusiasts.
