Glidingfrog

Gliding Frog

Rhacophorus reinwardtii

(Schlegal, 1840) Asian Gliding Treefrog (Rhacophorus reinwardtii gallery)

Physical Description

Rhacophorus reinwardtii (male) - photo courtesy of Frank YuwonoR. reinwardtii adults can reach up to 3.5 inches in length for females, and slightly smaller for male specimens. The body is light green to dark green with tiny dark spots around the back and head. The green coloration varies from light to dark. The eyes are light yellow, light greenish, or light gray, with a black horizontal pupil. R. reinwardtii have large, colorful webs between each toe on both the front and hind extremities. These webs are used to glide from tree tops to the ground, and aid in catapulting from leaf to leaf. The feet also possess adhesive discs. Males are more elaborately colored, with orange, green, purple, black, and yellow coloration on the sides of the abdomen and on the webs of the feet. Females are slightly more understated, with reduced webs and less-brilliant coloration. Males will also develop nuptial pads on the front feet during breeding season.

Natural Habitat & Distribution

R. reinwardtii are found in Indonesia, East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak - Borneo), Peninsular Malaysia, Vietnam, China, and Laos. Their natural habitat includes humid, tropical rainforests, where they spend the majority of time in tall trees.

Sexing & Breeding

Rhacophorus reinwardtii pair in amplexus - photo courtesy of Frank YuwonoRhacophorus reinwardtii breed during the rainy season in their natural habitat. Amlexus is axillary (consists of the male grasping the female behind the front limbs). The pair, usually accompanied by several other mating pairs, will construct a foam nest during axplexus, where the female will deposit up to 800 eggs. The foam nest is strategically built over a body of water so that the eggs or hatched larvae fall into the water to further develop. In the wild, a foam nest may be a compilation of several pairs' efforts, making the nest rather large.

In Captivity

R. reinwardtii are arboreal frogs, and should be housed in a large enclosure with many live plants, and ample territory. Because of their great leaping ability, they should be provided with a large tank that is both tall and wide. R. reinwardtii are especially susceptible to unsanitary conditions and overcrowding, and require more tank maintenance than many other species.

A tropical arboreal terrarium type setup is ideal for housing R. reinwardtii. The substrate should be a nutrient-rich mixture, with a healthy colony of beneficial bacteria (see article 0021 - Substrates for the Vivarium for more information on substrate mixtures). Dried and/or color-died mosses should not be used as substrate because they rot easily, and create and ideal environment for bacterial colonies. Live sheet mosses or pillow mosses make excellent and natural additions to the ground floor. Large pieces of moisture-tolerant wood, such as ghost wood or cypress, can be added to the ground floor, as well. Small ground plants, including tropical ferns and peperomias, also add an aesthetically pleasing, natural touch. A basic setup would consist of 4-6 inches of damp soil, tall and short live plants with large leaves (Epipremnum and Philodendron work well), and a clean, shallow water area. The water area will be used for soaking at night, and possibly breeding (if big enough). The water area should be 3-5 inches deep, with shallower areas where the frogs can soak with their heads above water. If the bowl is simply for soaking purposes, the water ares only needs to be around 1/2 inch deep (or just deep enough that the frogs can hold their heads above water). Water bowls should be buried to the rim in soil to allow easier entrance / exit, and should be refreshed with de-chlorinated water every day or every other day to ensure proper water chemistry. An alternative to a water bowl is to section off a corner or side of the tank with a piece of plexiglass to serve as the water area. The enclosure must always be kept moist, but not soggy. More elaborate setups can include several different species of plant life, mosses, caves, burrows, sloping hillsides, rocks, driftwood, small logs, natural-looking water bodies, waterfalls, etc. The tank should be sprayed with de-chlorinated water once or twice a day to ensure proper moisture levels. Some may opt for the convenience of a misting system and timer. These are excellent devices for breeding purposes, as they can be set to simulate seasonal changes by increasing or decreasing the number of sprayings per day. R. reinwardtii require ample ventilation, so a screen lid is a requirement with this species. If retaining humidity is an issue, as it is in many dry areas, a 2/3 screen and 1/3 glass lid may be necessary.

If kept properly, this species will readily breed in captivity. If eggs are produced, they should be relocated into a suitable aquarium with an ample supply of clean, de-chlorinated water to further develop.

As with all amphibians, tap water should be treated with a water conditioner or primer prior to the introduction of inhabitants. Never used plain tap water, de-ionized, distilled, or reverse osmosis water with amphibians. See article 0006 - Water Quality and Amphibians for more information about water quality.

Feeding

R. reinwardtii, and all other amphibians, are carnivorous, and require a moderate supply of live foods (R. reinwardtii should eat every other day or so; 3-4 times per week). The following is a list of store-bought foods that are commonly available at many pet stores.

Table 1.1 - Commonly Available Food Items acceptable for amphibians

Aquatic Larvae: