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Care Sheet: Mossy Frogs

By Richard Fife of Riparian Farms


www.Ivorytortoise.com

The Mossy Frog has only recently become available in the pet trade. The care
and breeding of this interesting frog is becoming more refined as our experience
with them increases. Most breeders, in the USA have been working with this
species for less than 3 years so we still have a lot to learn.

The Mossy Frog, Theloderma corticale, lives in karst zones of northern Vietnam.
They make their home in flooded caves and deep niches in the banks of
mountain streams. Their range includes the provinces of Vinh Phu, Back Tahi,
Cao Bang, and Lang Son. They can be found from 700-1500 m elevation. Their
range is decreasing due to habitat destruction and some biologists consider their
status as threatened or endangered.

The color and texture of their skin looks like a bunch of moss. Their skin is
colored in various shades of green with black and purple spots and stains. They
are covered with numerous tubercles and spines thus providing them with a
perfect camouflage.

They are mostly nocturnal, however, I have heard them calling during the day.
Males have quite a repertoire of calls. Males can be identified by pronounced
breeding calluses on the base of their inside finger. There doesn't seem to be
much difference in size between males and females. Adults are 7 to 8 cm (3-
inches), that can be attended within 6 to 9 months of metamorphism. These frogs
will fold into a ball when frightened and play dead.

They actively feed, at night on large insects such as crickets and cockroaches.
This is a semi-aquatic species spending much of the time hiding in the water
under rocks and floating plants. They will also attach themselves to the crevice
on a rock, just above the water appearing to be moss. Their eggs are deposited
above the water to protect them from aquatic predators. The eggs hatch in 7 to
14 days with the newly hatched tadpoles dropping from their egg into the water
directly below them. Metamorphous from tadpole to frog takes about 3 months.

I recommend that Mossy Frogs be maintained in a covered aquarium (these are


tree frogs that have adhesive toe pads and can jump). A ten to twenty gallon
aquarium can house two or three frogs. The aquarium should be 1/3 to 1/2 full of
water with an aquarium filter. De-chlorinated water that has been conditioned by
adding Indian Almond (Terminala cattapa) leaves or a similar commercial
aquarium additive should be used. The aquarium can be decorated with broken
pieces of clay pots protruding above the water, rocks, and other aquarium
decorations. Overhanging rocks or pots are necessary if you intend to breed your
frogs. I also use floating water plants like water lettuce. The feeder insects can
climb on the water plants until the frogs find and eat them. I feed my frogs, at
night, four or five times a week.

Mossy Frogs have been successfully maintained at daytime temperatures of 26-


30 degrees C (79- 86 degrees F) and 22 - 24 degrees C (72 - 75 degrees F) at
night. I maintain mine at a constant 78 degrees F both night and day. It is know
that local temperatures drop to 4 - 5 degrees C (39 - 41 degrees F) during the
winter in their range. A cooling period may or may not be necessary to stimulate
breeding and amplexus. I initially cooled my frogs a few degrees in late
summer/early fall and breeding commenced shortly thereafter. Clutch size varies
from 10 to 40 eggs. Eggs that are deposited in the water fail to develop. Tadpoles
can be raised together (they are not cannibalistic) in an aerated aquarium in
conditioned water. The tadpoles should be fed daily on Spirulina flakes.

With routine care you will be able to enjoy these unique frogs. They are not
difficult to keep and can provide a lot of enjoyment for their owner. Through
captive breeding the wild populations no longer need to be harmed by collectors
for the pet trade. Have Fun!

To contact us:

Phone: (520)378-4059
Email: richardfife@q.com
Address:
Riparian Farms
P.O. Box 381
Hereford, AZ 85615

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