Defining Characteristics: 

• Uncommon in Captivity
• Green and Red Coloration
• Mimics Moss
• Bold
• Easy to Breed
• Moderately Loud Call
• Great in Groups
• Nocturnal

Name: Theloderma corticale, also known as the Vietnamese Mossy Frog. Literally translating to 'Nipple Skin', the genus Theloderma is known for their unusual, bumpy texture.

Recommended Vivarium Size: A 20L or 29g gallon aquarium is suitable for 2-4 Vietnamese Mossy Frogs, but Josh's Frogs recommends a large aquaria or 24x18x18 Exo Terra Glass Terrarium, as it will allow for easier cleaning. For 1-2 animals, an 18x18x18 Mossy Frog Complete Kit is a great way to provide your pet mossy frogs with exactly what they need. Here at Josh's Frogs we keep our Mossy Frogs over water.

Temperature: They can tolerate a temperature range of 50 F to the high 70s F, but temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s are ideal, as well as what these frogs prefer. Temperatures over 80F are dangerous.

Humidity: Like most frogs, Vietnamese Mossy Frogs prefer a humidity range of 70 – 100%, but can tolerate humidity down to 50% for short periods of time if the frogs have access to water. Low humidity levels, especially without access to water, can quickly be fatal. Theloderma corticale is a fairly aquatic frog, easily spending most of its time at the water's edge, or even underwater.

Size: Adult female Theloderma corticale are larger, measuring in at approximately 3.5-4 inches. Male Theloderma corticale are a bit smaller, averaging about 2.75-3.25 inches at maturity. Vietnamese Mossy Frogs tend to sex male heavy - this is possibly linked to the temperatures tadpoles are raised at.

Age: Theloderma corticale is capable of living over 5 years in captivity under ideal conditions. This species is fairly uncommon in the hobby, and actual longevity expectations are varied. I spoke with a zookeeper that implied their mossy frogs were over 15 years old! The Theloderma corticale sold at Josh's Frogs are 2-3 months old.

Feeding: At Josh's Frogs, we feed our Vietnamese Mossy Frogs dusted crickets. At 3/4", juvenile mossy frogs can easily take 1/8" crickets, and even 1/4" crickets! Adults can consumer adult crickets. Make sure to dust all prey items with a quality vitamin/mineral supplement. We place the crickets in floating food bowls in the Theloderma corticale habitat, to prevent crickets from drowning and fouling the water. To learn more about feeding these frogs, please watch our video on How to Feed Reed Frogs. We use the same technique with Theloderma corticale.

Sexing: They are not sexable until 6-8 months of age, and sometimes younger. Male Vietnamese Mossy Frogs tend to be a bit smaller than females, which often appear both longer and wider. Males tend to have a red nuptial pad on the inside of each front foot that is bright red and swollen during breeding season, which can occur year round. Males also have a soft, hooting call, similar to an owl. Females appear very round at maturity, as they seemingly always are producing eggs. Wait until you see eggs before identifying a frog as a female.

Color/Pattern: Theloderma corticale is a very contrasting frog when young, resembling its sister species Theloderma bicolor. Froglets have a distinct red and green pattern on their back, which dulls with age.

Social Behavior: These frogs do well housed in groups their entire life, as long as enough space is provided. While mossy frogs can breed in a pair just fine, Josh's Frogs recommends purchasing multiple frogs if you are interested in breeding them. Mossy frogs breed great in groups.

Breeding: Theloderma frogs can be a challenge to breed - they either breed like rabbits, or do not breed at all! Still quite uncommon in the hobby, Theloderma corticale is a tree hole breeder. They prefer to lay eggs above water filled tree holes in dead trees, where the tadpoles drop down into the water below. These tree holes are often rather disgusting as far as water quality goes, and are filled with nutritious insect larvae. Here at Josh's Frogs we use round cork tubes to help mimic breeing in tree wholes.

Natural Range: The Vietnamese Mossy Frog is native to northern Vietnam and Laos.

History in the Hobby: Theloderma corticale is slowly becoming more common in the US herp hobby, but is still very scarce. Very few hobbyists produce Vietnamese Mossy Frogs on a regular basis, as females are so rare.

Links of Interest:

Vietnamese Mossy Frogs - Wikipedia

Reptiles Magazine - The Mossy Frog

Still not sure if Vietnamese Mossy Frogs from Josh's Frogs are the right frog for you? Read the reviews below and see what other customers are saying!