Feeding a White’s Treefrog

When it comes to live foods, White's treefrogs aren't very picky. They'll eat a varied menu, from silkworms to mealworms, crickets to moths, pinkie mice to smaller frogs. And they do not distinguish between smaller frogs of other species or smaller White's treefrogs. In other words, if you house two frogs of different sizes together, you'll probably wind up with just one.

Be sure to dust food items with a vitamin/mineral supplement that contains calcium and vitamin D3. Calcium supplementation is particularly important in preventing metabolic bone disease, or MBD, a serious bone degeneration. Place the feeder insects in a small jar with a pinch or two of the supplement; cover the jar and shake it to coat the insects with the powder. These coated insects are known as "shake and bake" feeders.

The frequency and amount of feeding depends on the size of the frog. Frogs that are an inch long should be fed a half dozen fly-sized crickets three times a week. Adult frogs can eat a dozen adult crickets per feeding (twice a week).

Simply place the crickets in your frog's tank. They will move about naturally. Unless a frog is very hungry, it will wait for a cricket to draw near then capture it with a flick of its tongue. If a few crickets come within range, a White's will rise slightly on its legs and eye its prey with what seems to be anticipation. It will lap up as many crickets as it can in succession without moving from its position.

Do not offer pinkie mice except as an occasional treat. These are a high-fat food item. White's treefrogs kept on a diet of pinkie mice often develop irreversible corneal opacities, resulting in blindness. White's treefrogs are also prone to gross obesity. If your frog is getting too fat, cut back on the number and quantities of feedings.