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Theloderma corticale Care and Breeding
This article covers the care, breeding, and tadpole care of Theloderma corticale, the Vietnamese mossy frog, with tips for maintaining a healthy environment for these unique amphibians.

Theloderma corticale, commonly known as the Vietnamese Mossy Frog, is a remarkable nocturnal amphibian found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia, primarily in northern Vietnam and southern China. These frogs are known for their camouflaged, moss-like appearance, which allows them to blend in seamlessly with their environment. This species has become increasingly popular in the terrarium hobby due to its fascinating appearance and relatively straightforward care requirements.
Care
Terrarium Size
For Theloderma corticale, a terrarium with dimensions of at least 60 x 45 x 45 cm (24 x 18 x 18 inches) is recommended for one or two frogs. A larger enclosure, around 75 x 45 x 60 cm (30 x 18 x 24 inches), is ideal for a group or for more complex setups that include plants, branches, and hiding spots. They thrive in vertical enclosures with plenty of space for climbing.
Temperature
Theloderma corticale prefers a temperature range of 18-28°C (75-82°F) during the day , with a slight drop to 18-22°C (68-75°F) at night.
Humidity
Maintaining high humidity is crucial, as they are native to tropical, humid environments. Aim for a humidity level between 70-90%. Regular misting, along with a drainage layer at the bottom of the terrarium, will help maintain this humidity and prevent excess water buildup in the land areas.
Lighting
These frogs require moderate lighting. While they do not need UVB light, providing a natural day-night cycle is important for their overall well-being. A 12-hour light cycle works well, with low-wattage bulbs or LED lights. We recommend introducing a proper night/day transition with dimming LEDs, as this will bring out their natural behavior and allow for you to see them active before the lights turn off.
Substrate
We recommend using filter foam topped with sphagnum moss and leaf litter. This allows for a semingless transition into the water area, and allows for a better aeration of the ground.
Water
A Water area is essential, as these frogs like to spend longer periods of time in the water. The frogs like water that is rich in tanins, but they produce a lot of waste, so the water needs to be filtered constantly. We also recommend 25-50% water changes every one to two weeks. The water area should cover at least 60% of the area of the tank, and be around 8 cm deep.
Feeding
Theloderma corticale primarily feeds on small invertebrates such as crickets, mealworms and small moths. Provide a variety of food to ensure a well-balanced diet, including gut-loaded insects. Offer food 1-2 times a week, depending on the frog’s age and size. Dust the insects with calcium and multivitamin powder every feeding.
Breeding
Sexing
Males can usually be identified through the slightly pink underside of their toe pads (see Gallery section for an image). However, the only certain way to sex them is to see a male individual call, and a female laying eggs.
Breeding Setup
For breeding, it’s important to replicate their natural environment as closely as possible. A breeding tank should be kept at a slightly higher humidity level and temperature. Adding leaf litter, moss, and small branches or logs will encourage natural behaviors. We have also noticed that flowing water tends to trigger their breeding behavior.
We have a rain system that can run for multiple hours in our T. corticale terrarium, but this doesn't seem to be common practice.
Egg Deposition and Tadpole Care
Females of Theloderma corticale lay their eggs on the undersides of leaves or logs. The eggs hatch into tadpoles and drop into the water. It is recommended to leave the tadpoles in the parent’s tank, since tadpoles like to feed on insect remains from their parents. However, it is possible to raise the tadpoles outside of the parents tank. The tadpoles morph into froglets after about 3-6 months.
It is important to note that the sex of the animal is determined during the tadpole stage, and depends on the temperature of the water. If the water is kept above 22°C, the chances of getting females are almost zero. Even with colder temperature of 15-17°C, which is the lowest we recommend, the ratio tends to be one female to 3 males. This means that tadpoles should always be kept below 20°C, even if the tadpole development tends to be slightlz slower at those temperatures.
Seasonal Cycles
Theloderma corticale does not have a strict breeding season in captivity but may be more likely to breed during the wet season when humidity and temperatures are higher. Mimicking these conditions by increasing humidity and misting frequency can stimulate breeding. Offering a 12-hour light cycle with slightly increased temperatures may also encourage reproductive behaviors.
Gallery
References:
AmphibiaWeb - Theloderma corticale. Available at: https://amphibiaweb.org/species/4549 (Accessed: 07.01.2025).
Animal Diversity Web - Theloderma. Available at: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Theloderma/ (Accessed: 07.01.2025).
Naturalist - Theloderma corticale. Available at: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/26641-Theloderma-corticale (Accessed: 07.01.2025).