Care Sheet - Pied Warty Frog

Scientific name
Theloderma asperum
Habitat
The species has a large area of distribution. It covers parts of northern India,
Myanmar, southern China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and even the
Indonesian island of Sumatra.
Observations from Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal are unclear.
Rain forests, found in water-filled holes in trees.
Nocturnal
Size
The smallest of the moss frogs and stays under 4 cm
Life Expectancy
4 years
Reproduction
They only lay a few eggs usually not much more than 12 They are produced within 46 weeks, 2-3 eggs that are attached somewhere just above the water level. The
tadpoles hatch after 8-10 days. It takes up to 2 months for the tadpoles to turn into
frogs.
Temperature
Ambient daytime temperature of 23-26 C. At night the temperature should drop
slightly (by 1-2 C). If the lighting doesn't bring enough heat in the terrarium, then
you can use a heatmat like Thermo Mat PRO which can be regulated with Thermostat.
For an aqua-terrarium or a larger pool of water an aquarium heater/thermostat are
suitable or even better yet, a Thermoclean filter which has a built in heater.
Humidity
70-90% here is the use of a misting system like the Super Rain or Super Fog is
recommended so as to control the humidity.
Lighting
Daylight fluorescent with low UV content in conjunction with the Lucky Reptile
Amphib Sun. At twilight and evening the frogs are most active in the lower UV.
1

Fluorescent tubes like the Exo Terra 2 or the compact UV2 are recommended.
Substrate
It is recommend that Mossy Frogs be maintained in a covered aquarium or terrarium
like the Exo terra terrariums (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 aquarium de chlorinator. 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 hyacinth. The feeder insects can
climb on the water plants until the frogs find and eat them. Feed the frogs, at night,
four or five times a week.
Cage Furniture
Ideal is a Herp Terrarium, which is set up as an aqua terrarium. Include some climbing
branches. Rear-and side wall cladding Xaxim not only look nice but offer the frogs
some additional climbing. Some artificial foliage and plants make the terrarium look
more natural and interesting.
Terrarium Size
30x30x45cm for a pair
Food
Live insects (e.g. crickets, locusts or the smaller cockroaches). Dust the feeder insects
occasionally with Calcium and vitamin supplements.
Comments
Active mostly at night.
John Gamesby