NEWS106
35
Theundersideof
Phyllomedusahypochondrialis
is inconspicuouslycolored.
Likeall Phyllomedusa,
P.hypochondrialis
hasvertical pupils.
waxy layer that protects them fromdehy-
dration.
Thisdoesn’tmeanof course that these frogs
shouldbekept inadesertterrarium.Theytoo
requirearelativehumidityof60-80%at24-26
°Cbyday,whileatnight thehumidity risesas
the temperaturedrops to20-22 °C.ButPhyl-
lomedusadorequiredryrestingplaces,asot-
herwisethere isariskofdisease.Thereshould
alwaysbeabathingdishwithconstantlyfresh
(butaged)wateravailable intheterrarium.
Climb likemonkeys
These frogs hardly ever hop, they climb!
Theydon’t havewebbed feet and cangrip
because the first two toes are opposed to
the others. Thismeans that
Phyllomedusa
hypochondrialis
can also clamber along
quite slender twigs. Thesemedium-sized
frogs do exceptionallywell in a terrarium
with varied planting as the plants will be
virtuallyunaffectedby the frogs.Thesizeof
the terrariumshouldbearound50x50x80
cm (lengthxbreadthxheight).
