Red Eyed Tree Frog Diet: What Do They Eat?

Did you know that red eyed tree frogs can change their color from bright green to dark brown depending on their mood and environment?

These amazing amphibians are native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, where they live among the trees and plants.

They have a distinctive appearance, with red eyes, green body, blue legs, and orange feet, and they can live up to 10 years in captivity if they are well cared for.

One of the most important aspects of caring for a red eyed tree frog is providing them with a proper diet and feeding routine.

That's why in this guide, we will answer the question "what do red eyed tree frogs eat?" and provide you with a comprehensive guide on their diet and feeding habits.

You will learn about the types of food they eat, how often they eat, how to feed them in captivity, and what to avoid feeding them. By following these tips, you will ensure that your red eyed tree frog is healthy, happy, and long-lived.

Table of Contents

Types of Food They Eat

Red eyed tree frogs are primarily carnivores, meaning they eat mostly insects and other animals, and in the wild, they hunt for their prey at night, using their sticky tongue to catch and swallow them whole. Some of the common insects that they eat in the wild are:

Insect	Nutritional Value	Availability
Crickets	High in protein, calcium, and fiber	Easy to find and breed
Moths	High in protein and fat	Seasonal and nocturnal
Flies	High in protein and moisture	Easy to find and breed
Grasshoppers	High in protein and fiber	Seasonal and hard to breed
Mosquitoes	High in protein and moisture	Seasonal and hard to breed

Red eyed tree frogs also eat smaller amphibians, such as other frogs, but this is rare and not recommended for pet owners.

This is because other frogs may carry diseases or toxins that can harm your red eyed tree frog, beyond that, feeding live frogs to your red eyed tree frog is unethical and cruel.

How Often They Eat

Red eyed tree frogs are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night and sleep during the day, and they usually hunt for their food in the dark, using their excellent vision and hearing to locate their prey. They can also sense the vibrations and movements of their prey through their skin.

The frequency and amount of food that you should feed your red eyed tree frog depends on their age, size, and activity level. As a general guideline, you can follow these recommendations:

Adult frogs (over 1 year old): Feed them 3-6 crickets every 2-3 days, depending on their appetite and weight. You can also offer them other insects, such as roaches, waxworms, mealworms, and silkworms, as occasional treats or variety.

Juvenile frogs (6-12 months old): Feed them 2-4 crickets every day, or every other day, depending on their growth and development. You can also offer them other insects, such as roaches, waxworms, mealworms, and silkworms, as occasional treats or variety.

Tadpoles (0-6 months old): Feed them fish flakes, algae pellets, or boiled lettuce every day, or every other day, depending on their growth and development. You can also offer them small insects, such as bloodworms, daphnia, or brine shrimp, as occasional treats or variety.

Do not overfeed your red eyed tree frog, as this can lead to obesity and health problems. You can tell if your red eyed tree frog is overweight by looking at their body shape and size.

A healthy red eyed tree frog should have a slim and streamlined body, with a visible waist and a flat belly, while an overweight red eyed tree frog will have a round and bloated body, with no visible waist and a bulging belly.

How to Feed Them in Captivity

Red eyed tree frogs need a well-balanced and varied diet in captivity, similar to their natural diet in the wild.

This will ensure that they get all the nutrients and minerals that they need for their growth and health. Here are some tips on how to feed them in captivity:

Use a shallow bowl of dechlorinated water to keep them hydrated and allow them to soak their skin. Don't forget to change the water daily, or as needed, to keep it clean and fresh. You can also mist the enclosure with water every day, or every other day, to maintain the humidity and moisture levels.

Gut-load the insects before feeding them to the frogs, meaning feed them nutritious food such as fruits, vegetables, and calcium supplements. This will enhance the nutritional value of the insects for the frogs, and you can also buy pre-gut-loaded insects from pet stores or online suppliers.

Dust the insects with vitamin and mineral supplements, such as calcium, vitamin D3, and multivitamins. This will prevent nutritional deficiencies and bone diseases in the frogs. You can buy these supplements from pet stores or online suppliers, and follow the instructions on the label. You can also consult your veterinarian for the best dosage and frequency for your red eyed tree frog.

Vary the types of insects that you feed them, such as crickets, roaches, waxworms, mealworms, and silkworms, as this will provide them with different nutrients and prevent boredom and pickiness. You can also try to mimic their natural hunting behavior by offering them live insects that move and fly, rather than dead or frozen ones.

Use tweezers or tongs to offer the insects to the frogs, or place them in a separate feeding container, because this will prevent the insects from escaping or hiding in the substrate, and allow you to monitor the frogs' appetite and intake. You can also observe the frogs' behavior and personality, and interact with them in a fun and safe way.

What to Avoid Feeding Them

Red eyed tree frogs have some dietary restrictions and preferences that should be respected and followed. Feeding them the wrong or inappropriate food can cause them harm or discomfort, and affect their health and well-being.

Here are some of the foods that should be avoided or limited:

Wild-caught insects: they may carry parasites, diseases, or pesticides that can harm the frogs. Always buy your insects from reputable sources, or breed them yourself, to ensure their quality and safety.

Large or hard-shelled insects such as beetles: they may be difficult to swallow or digest and cause impaction or choking. Always feed your frogs insects that are smaller than their head, and remove any hard or sharp parts, such as wings or legs, before feeding them.

Fatty or sugary insects such as waxworms and mealworms: as it may cause obesity and liver problems. These should be used as occasional treats only, and not as a staple food. You can also cut them into smaller pieces, or remove some of the fat, before feeding them to the frogs.

Human food, such as bread, cheese, meat, or chocolate: they are not suitable for the frogs' digestive system and nutritional needs. These foods can cause digestive issues, allergic reactions, or poisoning in the frogs. Never feed your frogs anything that is not meant for them, or that you are not sure about.

Other frogs: as they may carry diseases or toxins that can harm the frogs. This is also unethical and cruel. Never feed your frogs live or dead frogs, or any other animals that are not part of their natural diet.

Conclusion

In conclusion, red eyed tree frogs eat mostly insects and other animals, and they need a well-balanced and varied diet in captivity.

By following the tips and guidelines in this guide, you will be able to provide your red eyed tree frog with the best possible diet and feeding routine, and ensure their health, happiness, and longevity.

If you have any questions, comments, or experiences with red eyed tree frog diet, feel free to share them with us in the comment section below, because we would love to hear from you and learn from you.

You can also check out our other articles and resources on red eyed tree frog care, habitat, and behavior, to learn more about these fascinating creatures. Thank you for reading, and happy frogging!

Can Red Eyed Tree Frogs Live with Green Tree Frogs?

Additional Resource

FAQs About Red Eyed Tree Frog Diet

What does the red eye tree frog eat?

The red eye tree frog eats mostly insects and other animals, such as crickets, moths, flies, grasshoppers, mosquitoes, and sometimes other frogs. They are carnivores and nocturnal hunters.

How can I tell if my red eye tree frog is hungry or full?

You can tell by observing their behavior and body shape. A hungry frog will be active and alert, looking for food, while a full frog will be calm and relaxed, resting or sleeping.

What are the benefits of gut-loading and dusting the insects before feeding them to the frogs?

Gut-loading and dusting the insects will enhance their nutritional value and provide the frogs with essential vitamins and minerals. This will prevent nutritional deficiencies and bone diseases in the frogs, and improve their health and well-being.

What are the signs of a healthy and happy red eye tree frog?

Some of the signs of a healthy and happy red eye tree frog are: bright and clear eyes, smooth and moist skin, normal appetite and weight, regular shedding and defecation, active and playful behavior, and vocalization (males only).

How can I make the feeding time more fun and interactive for me and my frog?

You can make the feeding time more fun and interactive by using tweezers or tongs to offer the insects to the frogs, or placing them in a separate feeding container. This will allow you to monitor the frogs' appetite and intake, and observe their behavior and personality. You can also try to mimic their natural hunting behavior by offering them live insects that move and fly, rather than dead or frozen ones.

What are some of the common health problems or issues that can affect the red eye tree frog's diet and feeding?

Some of the common health problems or issues that can affect the red eye tree frog's diet and feeding are: parasites, infections, impaction, obesity, liver problems, digestive issues, allergic reactions, poisoning, and metabolic bone disease.