Currently, there are a huge number of amphibians, which are happily planted as pets. Tree frogs also belong to them. Their huge variety allows you to choose the one that a particular person will like.
Who are tree frogs?
Tree frogs or tree frogs are called frogs, which are of the chordate type, amphibian class, amphibian order, and tree frog family. The researchers who discovered these frogs at first found them very beautiful. The reason for this was the peculiar color of these amphibians. The Russian-language concept of “tree frog” most likely appeared due to the loud voice of frogs, characteristic of representatives of only this family.
Due to the fact that a huge number of species belong to these amphibians, it is impossible to give a clear description of their appearance, since it is quite diverse.
Australian amphibians
Representatives of the tree frog family are distributed throughout the globe. They live on every continent and on many islands. One of the subfamilies of these amphibians are Australian tree frogs. They are also called litoria.
These frogs have chosen Australia, Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Moluccas and Timor as their habitat. Since the territory of their distribution is so large, they were given another name - Australasian tree frogs, although it is used much less often. The main difference between these tree frogs from others is their horizontal pupils and non-pigmented eyelids.
Almost 150 varieties of Australian tree frogs are known at present, and new species are discovered annually. However, at the same time, many of them disappear or are on the verge of death.
Litoria, like other representatives of tree frogs, have binocular vision. The need to constantly climb the trees on which they spend their whole life became the reason that they developed sticky pads on the fingers of all four paws. For the same tree frogs that live on earth, this ability is weakened or completely lost.
Description
Australian tree frogs, photos of which are given in the material, are very diverse. In two nearby living species, not only color but also size may differ. For example, the smallest among them is a spear frog, the size of which does not exceed 1.6 cm. The largest is considered a giant frog, which can grow up to 13.5 cm. Often the size and appearance of tree frogs is closely related to their habitat. Small dark individuals are more often found on the ground, they climb trees very rarely. But large green litoria live all their lives on trees and descend from them only during the breeding season.
Varieties
All types of amphibians of the genus Litory differ significantly in their physiological characteristics, behavior and habitat.
There are so many varieties of Australian tree frogs that it is sometimes difficult for researchers to find a name. Sometimes incidents turn out, for example, one of the frogs is called white, although in fact its color is far from this color. It’s just that these liturgy was first described by an English explorer and navigator, John White (the name means “white” in English), and it was decided to name them after him. Only a small number of tree frogs carry the names of their discoverers as a name.
In the vast majority of cases, Australian frogs are called for some features that are immediately evident or well remembered. In addition, there are species named by habitat - Tasmanian, New Guinean, Moluccan, Cape Melville and others. Most of the flat, rocky, cave and river frogs bear the names of their places of residence. Among the memorable features that gave the names to the species are the following: graceful, slender, red-eyed, green-legged, rhombus-eyed, spotted-bellied, wide-necked, etc.
Many Australian tree frogs have become favorites among people fond of exotic pets. Among them, the most popular is blue or, as it is also called, white.
White litoria
Australian white tree frog (it is also called blue or coral-lipped letoria) lives in the subtropical zone of the forests of Australia, Indonesia, and New Guinea.
Adult females of these frogs grow up to 13 cm, and males rarely reach 7 cm. They have a short and wide head, on which large bulging eyes are located. Like all Australian tree frogs, they have horizontal pupils. The color of the litoria can be different - from any shade of green to chestnut or turquoise. White or gold spots cover their entire body, and the abdomen is most often pinkish or white. On the inside, their legs can even be reddish brown. In addition, they have sticky suction cups on their toes, and small membranes are also located there.
Australian blue tree frog (or white) prefers to stay awake and seek food at night and sleep during the day. In its natural habitat, it can live up to 20 years. Like most Australian littoras, the blue frog is able to adapt to its environment by changing color. In times of danger or on a hunt, she is able to jump more than one meter.
Home Content
Nowadays, it is becoming increasingly fashionable to have some kind of exotic pet at home. Tree frogs also belong to them. Despite the fact that the litoria is not picky, for the comfort of their living, certain conditions should be created that will maximally repeat the natural environment of amphibians.
The content of Australian tree frogs provides for a high vertical terrarium, in which there will be a large number of diverse plants. In addition, some snags and vertical branches will need to be placed there so that the frog can climb them. An important condition in choosing a container is that a 40-50 liter terrarium is needed per litorium.
The bottom should be strewn with a hygroscopic substrate. And also in the tank should be a drinking bowl and a spacious place for swimming. The optimum temperature at which tree frogs will live comfortably is 25 ° C, and humidity is not lower than 75–80%.
It is necessary to feed the Australian tree frog with various insects: crickets, bugs, marble cockroaches. Be sure to monitor the cleanliness in the terrarium: clean the remaining food, regularly change the water in the tanks from which the frog drinks and in which it bathes. It is very important to wipe the inner surface of the glass from accumulated mucus, as it can be very poisonous.
Proper maintenance of tree frogs can extend her life to 22 years. Since each tree frog representative has its own nuances in content, you should carefully study them before buying a new pet.