Hourglass Tree Frog Overview

Hourglass Tree Frog are smooth, small treefrogs exhibiting sexual dimorphism. Males are significantly smaller than females. Their dorsal coloration consists of an hourglass pattern on their backs with gold spots in this pattern. This pattern varies from bright yellow-green to pale yellow or cream.

They are also called “pantless frogs”. When you extend their hind legs you can see that only on their thighs they do not have the pattern continued but rather just a pale yellow color.

Appearance of Hourglass Tree Frog

The hourglass tree frog has relatively large forelimbs in comparison to the proportion of its body. It has well developed toe discs for tree climbing.

Their toe pads adhere via deformation of the soft epithelial cells. They also have long hind limbs for jumping from tree to tree (Touchon and Warkentin 2008) . As compared to most Anura they are capable of gas exchange through their permeable skin.

The frog family Hylidae has the unique adaptation of forming cocoons (by shedding the outer skin layer of the stratum corneum) or refuge in tree holes to protect themselves from desiccation during unfavorable conditions.

They also wipe themselves with waxy lipid secretions from their lipid glands in the dorsal skin to reduce water loss (Castanho 2001) although Castanho 2001 refers to a different genus, Phyllomedusa, and does not address this trait in Dendropsophus.

They also secrete a watery mucus to aid in evaporative cooling. Their granular glands contain a wide range of bioactive molecules for defense. Compounds such as alkaloids, quinones, steroids, biogenic amines and a diversity of biologically active peptides can be found across the family Hylidae.

Temperature

Keep the vivarium between 72° and 78° degrees at all times. Monitor the internal temperature of the vivariums using a thermometer to make sure the frogs are comfortable.

Humidity

Keep the humidity between 50-70% to ensure the frogs are staying moist. Monitor the humidity levels using a hygrometer.

Misting frequently will help keep the humidity up throughout the day. If you find that you need to mist more frequently then you’re able too, try an automatic misting system.

These tree frogs also like air flow. Be sure to have an area of ventilation on your terrarium. Stagnant air can lead to bacterial infections.

Hourglass Tree Frog Size

Hourglass Tree Frog are sexually dimorphic, meaning the females are larger than the males. Males hover around the ¾” range and Females can reach 1 1/2″ in length.

Age

Hourglass Tree frogs can live for 5-8 years in captivity, but may live longer with ideal care. In their natural habitat these frogs can live between 4-5 years.

Feeding

Being on the small side, Hourglass tree frogs should be fed ¼” crickets as adults.

Sexing

Hourglass Tree Frogs are fairly easy to sex as adults. Females are much larger than males, with a wider and more stout head. Females will be about 1″ longer than males, and are easily 50% heavier.

All Hourglass Tree Frog froglets sold by Josh’s Frogs are unsexable due to their young age.

Color/Pattern

Hourglass tree frogs are known for their hourglass shape on their backs.

Apart from this light brown patch, most individuals are a golden yellow with brown blotches present on the legs and elsewhere on the back.

Social Behavior

Hourglass tree frogs will compete for mates but will live fairly peacefully with other Hourglass tree frogs.

Breeding

Male Hourglass tree frogs will call to attract females during the rainy season.

After amplexus females will deposit eggs on vegetation either above the water or on vegetation that is just below the surface.

The hourglass tree frogs are the only know frog to be able to breed in and out of the water!

Tadpoles

Tadpoles should be kept in an aquarium with tannin rich water that has been cycled. This can be done using Indian Almond Leaves steeped in RO (reverse osmosis) water.

Tadpoles will readily eat a variety of fish foods and/or Josh’s Frogs Tree Frog & Toad Tadpole Food.

Sponge filters should be placed in the tank and no more than 50% of the water replaced during water changes.

Development

Eggs develop into tadpoles over the course of 5-10 days. Tadpoles can morph into frogs in as little as 6 weeks.