Defining Characteristics: 

• Rare in Captivity
• Green and Red Coloration
• Mimics Moss
• Bold
• Easy to breed
• Moderately loud call
• Great in Groups
• Nocturnal
• Smaller and less destructive in Vivaria than Vietnamese Mossy Frogs

Name: Theloderma bicolor, also known as the Mini Mossy Frog or Chapa Bug Eyed Frog. Literally translating to 'Nipple Skin', the genus Theloderma is known for their unusual, bumpy texture.

Recommended Vivarium Size: A 20 gallon aquarium or 18x18x18 terrarium is suitable for 2-4 Mini Mossy Frogs. The 18x18x18 Mossy Frog Complete Kit is a great way to provide your pet mossy frogs with exactly what they need!

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

Humidity: Like most frogs, Mini 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 bicolor is a fairly aquatic frog, easily spending most of it's time at the water's edge, or even underwater.

Size: Adult female Theloderma bicolor are larger, measuring in at approximately 2.5 inches. Male Theloderma bicolor are a bit smaller, averaging about 2 inches at maturity. These frogs may take 12-18 months to mature. The froglets sold here at Josh's Frogs will be at least 3/4-1" in size.

Age: Theloderma bicolor 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. Based on our experiences with other members of the genus, a life expectency of over a decade would not be unusual. The Theloderma bicolor sold at Josh's Frogs are 2-3 months old.

Feeding: At Josh's Frogs, we feed our Mini Mossy Frogs dusted crickets. At 3/4", juvenile mossy frogs can easily take 1/4" crickets! Adults can consume 3/4" 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 bicolor habitat, to preven 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 bicolor.

Sexing: Theloderma bicolor is not sexable until 6-8 months of age at the earliest. Male Mini 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 seeminly always are producing eggs. Wait until you see eggs before identifying a frog as a female.

Color/Pattern: They are a very contrasting frog when young, resembling it's sister species Theloderma corticale. Froglets have a distinct red and green patteron on their back, which dulls with age.

Social Behavior: Theloderma bicolor 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 bicolor 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.

Natural Range: The Mini Mossy Frog is native to Vietnam.

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

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