What Do Tree Frogs Eat?

Tree frogs are one of the most popular amphibian pets. They are wide-spread across the world in multiple species and found in all of different climates. This is because they’re able to adapt to their natural environments, which includes their diet. Understanding what to feed tree frogs is vital to your success as a frog-owner.

In the Wild

Tree frogs live in many different habitats and their diet depends largely on the environment they’re living in. In the wild, they’ll consume a variety of different arthropods, such as ants, beetles, crickets, and spiders. They also feed on other small-sized animals such as earthworms, snails, and slugs. Some tree frogs are even known to eat smaller frogs, usually from a different species.

In Captivity

When tree frogs live in captivity, their diet typically consists of commercially available feeder insects. These include crickets, mealworms, roaches, and waxworms. Tree frogs are particularly fond of wax worms and crickets, but they should not be the only dietary staple. A proper diet should include some variety at least two or three different types of insects.

Supplemental Diet

Tree frogs also need some sort of supplemental diet, as insects alone are not enough to adequately nourish them. For this reason, some frog owners choose to provide their pets with carnival mix. This is a powdered food mix containing essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that are crucial to the frog’s health and well-being. This can be lightly dusted over the crickets and worms before feeding to provide the proper nutrition.

Gut Loading

Gut loading the feeder insects is a great way to ensure that your frog is getting the nutrients it needs. This involves providing the feeder insects with food that is rich in calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients, so that when the tree frog eats them, so does the beneficial nutrients. Some insect food options for gut loading include tropical fish flakes, multi-vitamin powder, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Final Thoughts

Feeding your tree frog requires a bit of forethought and planning. It’s important to feed them a variety of insects, supplemented by a supplemental diet. Feeding live feeder insects is best, but you should also gut load them with the proper foods and dust them with vital vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. By following these instructions, your tree frog will stay happy and healthy.