A.Callidryas care sheet
WRITTEN BY: D. KNIGHT
INTRODUCTION
Agalycnis callidryas are a Hyliade from the genus Agalychnis. They inhabbit the rain forest's of Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama. They are a nocturnal species doing their hunting and breeding at night. Agalychnis Callidryas translates into Beautiful tree nymph, which is a fitting name for this highly attractive species.
Females are the larger of this species attaining a maximum snout to vent length of 77mm. Males are somewhat smaller attaining a maximum length of 59mm. Colouration varies slightly depending on locality but generally Agalychnis callidryas have bright green bodies which are slender and look some what flattened, with cream and blue stripes on their flanks. The under side of the body is also white with bright blue markings on the underside of the limbs. The eyes are bright red in colour with black pupils in the centre and the feet and toes are orange. These colours may look stunning but they are there to startle predators and give them time to escape.
HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
Agalychnis calliryas require an aboreal vivarium, 18x18x24 inches would be well suited to house an adult trio. Lots of climbing branches should be provided and secured in place as these species of tree frog walk rather than hop. Pothos and mantra species are well suited plants as they provide shade and sleeping places. Natural set ups that are well planted make an ideal home for these frogs. Covering the sides of the tank with blacking out paper or coco panels will provide them with extra security and help to reduce stress. Sphagnum moss, gravel, bark and any other loose substrate should be avoided as it may cause impactions. Eco earth or coco husk make ideal substrates but should be given drainage by means of a false bottom or a deep layer of hydroleca.
INTRODUCTION
Agalycnis callidryas are a Hyliade from the genus Agalychnis. They inhabbit the rain forest's of Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama. They are a nocturnal species doing their hunting and breeding at night. Agalychnis Callidryas translates into Beautiful tree nymph, which is a fitting name for this highly attractive species.
Females are the larger of this species attaining a maximum snout to vent length of 77mm. Males are somewhat smaller attaining a maximum length of 59mm. Colouration varies slightly depending on locality but generally Agalychnis callidryas have bright green bodies which are slender and look some what flattened, with cream and blue stripes on their flanks. The under side of the body is also white with bright blue markings on the underside of the limbs. The eyes are bright red in colour with black pupils in the centre and the feet and toes are orange. These colours may look stunning but they are there to startle predators and give them time to escape.
HOUSING REQUIREMENTS
Agalychnis calliryas require an aboreal vivarium, 18x18x24 inches would be well suited to house an adult trio. Lots of climbing branches should be provided and secured in place as these species of tree frog walk rather than hop. Pothos and mantra species are well suited plants as they provide shade and sleeping places. Natural set ups that are well planted make an ideal home for these frogs. Covering the sides of the tank with blacking out paper or coco panels will provide them with extra security and help to reduce stress. Sphagnum moss, gravel, bark and any other loose substrate should be avoided as it may cause impactions. Eco earth or coco husk make ideal substrates but should be given drainage by means of a false bottom or a deep layer of hydroleca.
LIGHTING
Although the research is on going, U.V can provide many benefits to Agalychnis callidryas. It is very beneficial in the production of D3 and will help prevent bone disfigurement in juveniles. Although Agalychnis may be nocturnal and prefer shaded areas, U.V rays reach through out the rainforest, penetrating leaves giving them exposure to the rays. A 2% tube with a reflector placed over the top of the viv will provide them with substantial U.V. The light emitted from the tube will also be needed to maintain the plants in the vivarium.
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
Agalychnis callidryas require high humidity's of 70% along with good ventilation. The vivarium should be misted with de-chlorinated water daily and not allowed to fully dry out. A temperature of 75 in the day with a drop to 70 degrees at night is ideal. Heat emitting bulbs should not be used to achieve this as they will rapidly dry out the air.
FEEDING
Agalychnis callidryas will eat a large range of inverts. Crickets, locusts, moths and flies are among their favorites. Food items should be sized accordingly, the best way to judge this is by offering items that are equal to the distance between the specimens pupils. Vitamins and calcium supplements should be dusted onto the food, the most effective way to do this is by placing the food into a bag, adding the supplement and gently shaking. Adults should be given a feed with calcium once per week and vitamins also once per week. Juveniles will need more frequent supplementing. Do not supplement calcium and vitamins at the same time, do one per feed. Food items should also be gut-loaded on fresh veg before being offered. Adult Agalychnis callidryas should be fed 2 - 3 times per week and juveniles daily. Any uneaten food should be removed from the viv as it will not only stress and bite the frogs but it will also eat the plants.
WATERING
A shallow water area should be provided as Agalychnis callidryas will use it to replenish their natural water reserve. The area or dish should be changed daily using de-chlorinated water. It is vital the water level is no deeper than the frogs height at rest as they are poor swimmers and will drown easily.
CLEANING
The vivarium should be spot cleaned daily with any feces or dead food items being removed. It is also beneficial to wipe down the leaves of the plants with an amphibian safe disinfectant. Cleanliness is vital in amphibian husbandry and should be dealt with responsibly.
HANDLING
Handling should be avoided unless it is vital to the specimens welfare. If you do have to handle them, then powder free surgical gloves must be worn and frequently misted with de-chlorinated water to stop them drying out. Agalychnis callidryas do not like or get used to being handled, it is very stressful to them and if not done correctly can be very dangerous. Not only will the salts in human skin irritate them but there is a risk of damaging a limb or tearing the skin. When cleaning the viv the safest and less stressful way for the frogs is to catch them in a tub which has been sprayed with de-chlorinated water.
SEXING AGALYCNIS CALLIDRYAS
Agalycnis callidryas are not sex-able until they reach a mature age. The biggest sexual difference other than the size is the males will call in the evenings. The snout of females is rounded where as the males are more sloped with the nostrils pointing up. The neck of the males are quiet saggy where the vocal sack expands and in the breeding season males will develop nuptial pads.
Although the research is on going, U.V can provide many benefits to Agalychnis callidryas. It is very beneficial in the production of D3 and will help prevent bone disfigurement in juveniles. Although Agalychnis may be nocturnal and prefer shaded areas, U.V rays reach through out the rainforest, penetrating leaves giving them exposure to the rays. A 2% tube with a reflector placed over the top of the viv will provide them with substantial U.V. The light emitted from the tube will also be needed to maintain the plants in the vivarium.
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
Agalychnis callidryas require high humidity's of 70% along with good ventilation. The vivarium should be misted with de-chlorinated water daily and not allowed to fully dry out. A temperature of 75 in the day with a drop to 70 degrees at night is ideal. Heat emitting bulbs should not be used to achieve this as they will rapidly dry out the air.
FEEDING
Agalychnis callidryas will eat a large range of inverts. Crickets, locusts, moths and flies are among their favorites. Food items should be sized accordingly, the best way to judge this is by offering items that are equal to the distance between the specimens pupils. Vitamins and calcium supplements should be dusted onto the food, the most effective way to do this is by placing the food into a bag, adding the supplement and gently shaking. Adults should be given a feed with calcium once per week and vitamins also once per week. Juveniles will need more frequent supplementing. Do not supplement calcium and vitamins at the same time, do one per feed. Food items should also be gut-loaded on fresh veg before being offered. Adult Agalychnis callidryas should be fed 2 - 3 times per week and juveniles daily. Any uneaten food should be removed from the viv as it will not only stress and bite the frogs but it will also eat the plants.
WATERING
A shallow water area should be provided as Agalychnis callidryas will use it to replenish their natural water reserve. The area or dish should be changed daily using de-chlorinated water. It is vital the water level is no deeper than the frogs height at rest as they are poor swimmers and will drown easily.
CLEANING
The vivarium should be spot cleaned daily with any feces or dead food items being removed. It is also beneficial to wipe down the leaves of the plants with an amphibian safe disinfectant. Cleanliness is vital in amphibian husbandry and should be dealt with responsibly.
HANDLING
Handling should be avoided unless it is vital to the specimens welfare. If you do have to handle them, then powder free surgical gloves must be worn and frequently misted with de-chlorinated water to stop them drying out. Agalychnis callidryas do not like or get used to being handled, it is very stressful to them and if not done correctly can be very dangerous. Not only will the salts in human skin irritate them but there is a risk of damaging a limb or tearing the skin. When cleaning the viv the safest and less stressful way for the frogs is to catch them in a tub which has been sprayed with de-chlorinated water.
SEXING AGALYCNIS CALLIDRYAS
Agalycnis callidryas are not sex-able until they reach a mature age. The biggest sexual difference other than the size is the males will call in the evenings. The snout of females is rounded where as the males are more sloped with the nostrils pointing up. The neck of the males are quiet saggy where the vocal sack expands and in the breeding season males will develop nuptial pads.
CONCLUSION
Agaylchnis Callidryas are a prized species amongst amphibian keepers, however they are not for the inexperienced. They are very fragile and deteriorate quickly if not given the proper care. These beautiful frogs gets stressed very easily and are only suited as a visual pet.
Agaylchnis Callidryas are a prized species amongst amphibian keepers, however they are not for the inexperienced. They are very fragile and deteriorate quickly if not given the proper care. These beautiful frogs gets stressed very easily and are only suited as a visual pet.