Chinese gliding tree frogs

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The Chinese Gliding Tree Frog (Polypedates dennysi)
Learn about experiences with this frog at Agama International.

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The Chinese gliding tree frog, Polypedates dennysi, is a species rather new to herpetoculture and is comparable in at least two ways to the more frequently seen White’s tree frog, Litoria caerulea: both are green, although the Chinese gliding tree frog is the brighter of the two, and both attain a similar size. Females of both species reach 4 inch snout-to-vent lengths (SVL), and the somewhat smaller males attain 3.5 inch SVL. There, however, the external similarities end.

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All specimens of the Chinese gliding tree frog with which we are working at Agama International have black lateral lines that contains prominent white markings. In the juveniles (specimens less than one year old), the white lateral markings are in the form of solid stripes, but with advancing age these stripes break into an irregular series of dots and dashes. The solid lateral stripes of P. dennysi young imparts to the frogs a similarity to the American green tree frog, Hyla cinerea.

The large, black eyes of the Chinese gliding tree frog are best seen at night with a flashlight. It is then that these frogs are active. Its digits end in broad, flat discs, permitting the frogs to climb on and cling to smooth vertical surfaces, such as glass. Both fingers and toes are webbed.

The range of P. dennysi includes much of southern China. According to Adler and Zhao’s The Herpetology of China, specimens of the Chinese gliding tree frog have been recorded from the provinces of Guangxi Zhuang, Zhejiang, Guang Dong, Fujien, Hunan, Ziangxi, Anhui Sichuan, and Guizhou. It may also occur in Yunnan.

Comparing Captive and Wild Habitats

Agama International is located in Montevallo, Alabama, about 40 miles south of Birmingham (Montevallo is in fact the geographical center of Alabama). The average monthly temperatures here and in China are rather similar. However, although the total rainfall in the two locations is about the same, the monthly totals are quite different. The spring rains, for example, are much greater than those in Alabama. Also, the record low temperatures for Birmingham are considerably cooler than those of Chiu Chiang. This latter does not affect the tree frogs, however, since they brumate in the ground and the temperature extremes are always of short duration. It can also be assumed that acid rains in its natural habitat would lead to the extinction of P. dennysi. Tests conducted by the University of Alabama (Prof. Ken Marion) proved that to survive, the tadpoles water must have a pH higher than 6.

We keep our adult Chinese gliding tree frogs in spacious, outdoor terraria with Australian water dragons, P. lesueri, and green basilisks, B. plumifrons. These terraria are largely below ground level. This construction style assures a more moderate micro-climate. Both winter and summer temperatures within the terraria are less extreme than the outside temperatures, and they are always frost free. Both the Australian water dragons and the tree frogs are kept outside year round. The tree frogs can also be kept inside year-round with no problems.

The First Batch

It was in March of 1990, during a visit to Holland, that I saw my first specimens of P. dennysi. Back then, they were still included in the genus Rhacophorus. I was attracted to both their brilliant color and the fact that they were native to China, meaning they would probably be able to withstand the rigors of Alabama weather. I purchased two pairs.

Once back in Alabama, the frogs seemed to do very well. I noticed they foraged most actively on rainy days and nights. However, August of 1990 was very dry and abnormally hot. Daytime temperatures regularly reached 100F.

The following March (1991), during the night of the 29th, the nighttime temperature stabilized at 60F. During a heavy thunderstorm that evening, I was surprised to find that not only were the "lost" free frogs again in evidence, but that a pair was busily preparing a foam nest in the grasses that overhung a small pond within their enclosure. Apparently they had dug themselves in the last August and over-wintered in the ground. Later I learned that these frogs take about two hours to build one foam nest.

Six days later, on April 4th and despite the return of dry, seasonably cold (lows in the 40s to 30s F) weather, most of the larvae had left the nest and were in the pond water below. It was not until May 17 that the tadpoles’ first hindlegs appeared. The newly metamorphosed froglets began feeding on pinhead crickets and fruitflies. I never witnessed cannibalism among any of the froglets.

Some Tips Regarding Captive P. dennysi

Chinese gliding tree frogs are best suited for heavily planted, vertically oriented terraria. They seem to like spending the day sitting on plant stems or on top of window frames in clear view, depending on their color and lack of motion as protection from predators. Suitable ornamental plants for the terrarium include taro (elephant’s ear), lotus, and bamboo. Edging a pond in which bamboo is growing with lotus gives the appearance of a nice Asian habitat.

These tree frogs may be kept outside year round in the southern and eastern parts of the USA. Besides wild insects, these frogs will also eat mealworms and super mealworms from a dish. I have never observed cannibalism by the species. In fact, smaller frog species and baby P. dennysi seem safe when housed with adult P. dennysi.

An Interesting Sidenote

It is well known that agricultural businesses in many tropical and subtropical parts of the world have imported the gigantic and voracious giant (= marine, or cane) toad, Bufo marinus, in hopes of controlling insect scourges. Alas, these toads have never seemed to be the correct choice, for along with the insects that they were supposed to eat, they consume other anurans and small animals. Additionally, their partoid secretions are so toxic that they often kill the predators that consume them. This latter fact has been documented in Australia, where giant toads were released decades ago and have since bred to pest status.

We believe P. dennysi would be a better choice for pest control, as it eats many insects and does not practice cannibalism.

For the complete article, including maps, data sheets, and color photos, see Reptiles Magazine, September 1995, pp.68-77.

Flying Frogs

"Unlike the American Gliding Leaf-frog, the pupil [of the Chinese Gliding Tree Frog] is horizontal."

"The Chinese Gliding Frog, Polypedates dennysi, comes from much less tropical situations and is more tolerant of temperature and humidity changes [compared to other flying frogs]"

"The eyes [of the Chinese gliding tree frog] are nearly black"

" Burt (sic.) Langerwerf, of Agama International in Alabama, has succeeded in breeding this [Chinese gliding tree frogs] species in outdoor cages and reported his results in detail in Reptiles, September, 1995, must reading for anyone trying to keep the species."

"The tropical species do not adapt well to cooling and will have to be heated all year, but Polypedates dennysi will burrow into the ground during both a dry summer and a mild winter."

"At least for the moment, the flying frogs will have to remain oddities watched on the television and read about in books for most hobbyists." But you can buy them now from Agama International!

For the complete article see the magazine Reptile Hobbyist, June 1997, Flying Frogs, which also features our gliding tree frogs, pp. 44-50.

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