Hyperolius (African Reed Frog)

Age: Average around 5 years
Origin: Africa south of the Sahara
Length: Up to 4 inches
Reed frogs come in many colors and patterns. Usually the back is green or brown with red, yellow, white or blue markings and the belly is white or yellowish with red or yellow sutures. As they get older they change color and usually become brighter.

Care:
Experience: Novice frog keeper
Food: Small insects
Feed adult: crickets 3-4 times a week
Feed young: Daily fruit flies
Water bowl: yes
Water change: Daily

Power supply
The diet of the African reed frog contains small insects. Crickets can be given as the main food, alternating between fruit flies and moths. They have a large appetite and will eat anything smaller than their own head. Fruit flies are suitable food for young animals.
It is also important that you supplement the feed well with vitamin and mineral supplements. There are various powders for sale at specialized pet shops.

Water
The terrarium must have a water section, which may be a quarter to a third of the terrarium and between 5 and 10 centimeters deep. It is important that the temperature of the water is around 23 degrees Celsius. A pump can help to maintain the humidity level and also keeps the water fresh for longer.

Cleaning
In fact, you only need to completely clean your frog's enclosure once a month. If you turn up the bedding every few days or once a week and clean the feces you find, that is enough. The water in the water bath must be changed daily if it is not fitted with a filter. With a filter, the entire water can be changed once a week.

Handling
Since frogs breathe through the skin, it is not recommended to touch them with bare hands because this can damage the skin because they absorb substances. If you need to catch them, it's best to let them walk into a bowl or jump so you don't have to touch them. If you do have to handle them with your hands make sure you wash your hands thoroughly with water only, soap can damage their skin.

Housing
Minimum size enclosure: For 2 to 4 frogs a terrarium of 70*50*40
Day temperature: 24-28 degrees Celsius
Night temperature: 18-24 degrees Celsius
Hours of light: 12 hours
Humidity: 8 months 70-70% and the other 4 months 80-100%
Water temperature: 23%
Soil cover: Moisture-retaining soil cover. It is best to use cocohusk/cocopeat, but ordinary potting soil is also possible. Spagnum moss is not recommended, because the animals can swallow it and become constipated. Ordinary moss can be used again. Make sure the bedding is slightly damp, but not soaking wet. If you get a handful of bedding and you can squeeze out a few drops of water, it's fine.

Design
A water part is important as a decoration of the terrarium, in which you can place floating plants or reed stems along the side to imitate their natural environment. This kind of frog also likes to climb, for this you can place plants with large leaves and branches in the terrarium. Hollowed-out logs or cork bark are suitable for hiding. Make sure that all furnishings are free of splinters or small twigs that could injure the animals.
The frogs like bright white light, so you can use daylight lamps for this. To achieve the desired temperature and to give the animals a place to sunbathe, a spot can be placed in the terrarium. also ensure good ventilation in the terrarium, this can be done by placing gauze at the top and front.

Behaviour
Lifestyle: Nocturnal
Character
The African Reed Frog is nocturnal and then hunts for food and in the mating season they look for a partner. During the day they rest and sunbathe on leaves.

Points of attention
The males can croak very loudly during the breeding season.

Cost and Purchase
Legislation: No CITES or transfer papers are required to own the African reed frog.
One-off costs: This includes the costs for the terrarium, terrarium lighting, hiding places and decoration. This can cost a few hundred euros in total. The final amount depends on the quality and size of the products.
Fixed costs: Fixed costs include the costs for the feed, which is a few tens of euros per year.
Unexpected costs: Costs are incurred when your reed frog happens to get sick or your equipment breaks down.
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