Feeding Guide for White's Tree Frogs

Providing dietary variety is essential for optimal nutrition while avoiding obesity. White's Tree Frogs will overeat if given the chance, so stick to scheduled feeding and appropriate portion sizes. Here's a detailed breakdown of the best feeder insects:

Staple Feeders

Crickets (Acheta domesticus)
The gold standard staple feeder. High in protein (21%), readily available, and affordable. Crickets are active and trigger strong hunting responses. Brown crickets are hardier and longer-lived, making them the most popular choice. Gut-load for 24-48 hours before feeding.

Dubia Roaches (Blaptica dubia)
Premium feeder option with 36% protein and excellent calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (1:3). Don't smell, can't climb glass, live 1-2 years, and are quieter than crickets. Many frogs initially ignore them due to lack of movement, but can be trained to accept them with feeding tongs. Ideal for adult frogs.

Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens)
Also called Phoenix Worms or Calciworms. Naturally high in calcium (Ca:P ratio 1.5:1), no dusting needed! Low in fat, making them perfect for obesity-prone species. Excellent movement triggers hunting. Use as 25-30% of diet rotation. Great for juveniles due to soft body.

Silkworms (Bombyx mori)
Low-fat, high-protein option with good vitamin B profile. Soft-bodied and easy to digest. Excellent for finicky eaters or sick frogs. Require fresh mulberry leaves or commercial chow. More expensive but very nutritious. Use as 15-20% of diet variety.

Hornworms (Manduca sexta)
Excellent hydration source (85% water content). Low in fat, high in calcium. Fast-growing - buy small or they outgrow your frog quickly! Bright green color and vigorous movement make them irresistible. Great for variety and hydration during warm months. Feed 1-2 per week.

Treats & Special Occasions

Waxworms (Galleria mellonella)
The 'candy' of feeder insects - 22% fat content! Use sparingly as a treat or for underweight frogs needing rapid weight gain. Highly palatable; frogs will preferentially hunt these over healthier options. Limit to 1-2 waxworms per month for adults.

Isopods & Springtails (Cleanup Crew)
In bioactive setups, frogs may occasionally hunt these. They're harmless and actually beneficial - high in calcium, naturally gut-loaded from consuming organic matter. Don't count as primary feeders, but provide enrichment and trace minerals.

Tree frogs are nocturnal hunters. Always feed at night (after lights go off) when they're naturally active.

Feeding Frequency by Age:

• Juveniles: Every night (daily)
• Sub-adults: Every other night (4-5x week)
• Adults: Every 2-3 nights (avoid overfeeding)

Quick tips specific to White's Tree Frogs:

• Buy smaller quantities (50-100 crickets) more frequently rather than bulk to ensure freshness
• Gut-load crickets for 24-48 hours before feeding with commercial gut-load or vegetables
• Store dubia roaches at 75-80 deg F for long-term colony; they can last months with minimal care
• Refrigerate BSFL at 50-55 deg F to slow growth; these are naturally calcium-rich
• Keep waxworms refrigerated and use sparingly - they're high in fat

Feeder insects must be properly supplemented to prevent metabolic bone disease and other deficiencies.

• Calcium + D3: Dust feeders following product recommendation (typically 2-3x a week)
• Multivitamin: Dust feeders following product recommendation (typically 1x a week)
• Gut-loading: Feed crickets nutritious food 24 hours before feeding to frogs

• Overfeeding: Most common cause of health issues - frogs will eat until obese
• Feeding during the day: Frogs won't hunt effectively in daylight
• Feeders too large: Can cause impaction or choking - feeder should be smaller than the gap between frog's eyes
• No supplementation: Leads to metabolic bone disease over time
• Wild-caught insects: Risk of pesticide exposure and parasites
• Leaving crickets overnight: Crickets can bite and stress frogs, many keepers have not reported issues as long as enclosure is proper size.

Watch for these signs of proper feeding:

• Active hunting behavior at night
• Regular, firm droppings (not runny)
• Smooth skin without fat deposits
• Alert and responsive
• Normal weight for age