Can Tree Frogs Swim? [Weird Truth]

Tree frog owners often get confused about whether they should put their tree frogs in aquatic environments or not. There are a lot of myths spread on the internet saying tree frogs can’t swim or they drown in water and die. Is it actually true?

Yes, tree frogs are capable of swimming. Tree frogs mainly live in trees. They have webbed feet to help them swim. However, they are not as adept at swimming as some other frog species. Tree frogs go back to water to breed. They lay their eggs in ponds or calm waters. When breeding, you can see them swim or float on the water.

So before making an additional water tank for your tree frogs, let’s dig in to know what they prefer and how much they prefer living in the water.

Key Takeaways

• Tree frogs can swim, but they do not rely on or prefer aquatic environments like pond frogs do. Their physical attributes are adapted more for climbing trees than efficient swimming.
• Tree frogs stay hydrated mainly through their permeable skin and mucus secretions.
• For reproduction, tree frogs need an aquatic setting for their eggs and tadpole development stages. They have evolved ways to provide this, like laying eggs in tree branches overhanging water.
• Tree frogs can breathe underwater through their skin (as tadpoles and adults) as well as lungs (as adults).
• A tree frog terrarium does not need an additional pond, but can include a small water bowl for drinking/hydration and optional swimming. Too much water is unnecessary and could be harmful for tree frogs.

The Myth And The Reality Behind Tree Frog’s Swimming

Some misconceptions are running on the internet saying tree frogs cannot swim. Many tree frog owners claimed that their tree frogs were put into water gallons and found dead the next morning. From these observations, some frog enthusiasts established the fact that tree frogs cannot swim.

But the reality is quite different.

Tree frogs do not inhabit aquatic environments. But they definitely can swim.

They possess all the physical attributes necessary for swimming. But they do not rely much on water and do not prefer to live in water. That’s the reason most tree frogs never swim after growing up.

Difference Between A Tree Frog And A Pond Frog

Aquatic pond frogs are quite different from arboreal tree frogs. These two sorts of frogs are quite different from each other when it comes to adapting to their respective environments.

Tree Frogs do not rely on water that much contrasting with their aquatic counterparts. Some specific differences in skin, reproduction, physical structures, and hibernation separate these two kinds of frogs.

How Do Tree Frogs Stay Hydrated?

Tree frogs are quite different from pond-dwelling frogs in this case. Almost all kinds of frogs maintain their moisture through their skin.

They adapt to different environments in two ways. First, they can form a layer over their epidermis. Second, they can change their permeability.

Pond-dwelling aquatic frogs always stay in close contact with water. So it’s much easier for them to stay hydrated. Whenever they need to hydrate themselves, they take a dip into the water.

To prevent the loss of water, they secret mucus-like substances from the mucus secreting glands of their skin.

This layer of mucus helps them to retain water within the body. It’s an ecological adaptation of frogs in dry conditions.

But tree frogs usually do not come to contact with water frequently. So it’s much harder for them to stay hydrated. They usually absorb moisture from leaves and soil. Tree frogs are mainly found in tropical rainforests. So water retention is one fundamental thing they need to maintain.

Tree frogs have some wax-secreting glands on their skin. It develops an extra layer to help prevent additional water loss. But most of the tree frog species do not need to generate this layer as the environment is always so humid and moist around them.

Can Tree Frogs Swim Like Pond frogs?

No, tree frogs cannot swim as pond frogs do. It’s because of their differences in physical attributes. Pond frogs and Tree frogs are designed differently for coping with their respective environments.

Pond frogs have special anatomical traits that allow them to swim and hop smoothly. They have stronger and bigger back legs. The anterior limbs are generally smaller. These limbs are used for navigation during swimming and swift landing. The feet generally spread to help propel the frog in water.

But tree frogs possess different anatomical development of their limbs. Their front and back limbs are almost even. They have sticky pads in their toes that help them to climb and stick to the tree surfaces. It also allows them to leap from branches to branches and land more efficiently.

Because of the differences in their physique, tree frogs cannot swim as the way pond frogs do. They swim slowly and do not maintain direction as well as pond frogs can. So it may be their physical attributes that do not motivate them to go and take a refreshing bath.

Tree Frogs Need Aquatic Environment For Reproduction

Here’s the most important point.

Evert frog species need to lay their eggs in an underwater environment.

Also, the development of tadpoles after hatching is dependent on aquatic settings.

Pond frogs do not face any problem while mating and laying eggs as they remain in close contact with water reservoirs. The female frogs lay their eggs underwater either below plants or attaching to other underwater structures. The tadpoles grow up to adulthood in the pond where they hatched.

But things are different in arboreal frogs’ reproduction procedure. They need to come up with creative ideas to provide their offspring with an aquatic environment. For the survival of tadpoles, an aquatic setting is a must.

Tree Frogs make their nest on tree branches hanging over ponds. The eggs are released from the nest to get access to water. Some tree frogs carry their eggs in pouches on their backs. They even carry their eggs in their throats and release them in water until they are ready to hatch into tadpoles.

How Do Tree Frogs Breathe Underwater?

Like other frog species, tree frogs possess the same anatomical and physiological respiratory functions. This system differs in two different stages of their life.

In the larval stage, the tree frog tadpoles breathe through their gills.

The internal physiology is quite different from their adult counterparts. They can also inspire through their skin. They take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide through their skin.

Adult tree frogs develop well-structured lungs. They lose their gills while growing up.

These well-developed lungs help them to breathe with ease. They control their breathing with throat and nostrils.

Like every other frog species, tree frogs possess a trait called ‘Bimodal Breathing’. Bimodal breathing comprises skin respiration and lung respiration. In aquatic environments, tree frogs use their skin to breathe. So there’s no way tree frogs will not be able to breathe underwater. It kills all the myths spread on the internet.

The Dos And Don’ts In A Tree Frog Terrarium

As tree frogs do not prefer living in aquatic settings, you do not need to bring an additional water pool for your frogs. Many frog owners make this mistake. They make artificial ponds and water streams for their tree frogs. DON’T.

Put 2 or 3 inches of coconut fiber or tree bark bedding to line the bottom of the tank. I love Zoo Med Eco Earth Coconut Fiber as the substrate for my frog terrarium. This substrate can hold moisture and is the industry popular choice for reptiles & amphibians.

You can also provide more and more live trees and artificial tree branches to allow your tree frog to hide and show some acrobatic moves. Here are my favorite decorations for a frog vivarium:

• Zoo Med African Mopani Wood
• Plastic Bamboo Tree
• Natural Looking Bendy Branches

Take a small bowl and put in some dechlorinated water. Place the bowl in the middle of the terrarium. It will allow your frogs to stay hydrated and drink water. I usually prefer Zoo Med Food & Water Bowl because they are safe for animal and also looks very naturalistic.

If you want to see your tree frogs swimming, you may add a bigger bowl which can be almost half the size of the tank. It’ll also be beneficial for tree frog pairs to breed.

can whites tree frogs swim?

Yes, White’s tree frogs can swim. Like many amphibians, they are capable of swimming and will often do so when in a water source.

can green tree frogs swim?

Yes, green tree frogs can swim. They are amphibians and have the ability to move in water, although they spend a significant amount of time on land or in trees.

can whites tree frogs swim?

Yes, White’s tree frogs can swim. Like many amphibians, they are capable of swimming and will often do so when in a water source. However, they are primarily arboreal, meaning they spend a significant amount of time in trees. When they do enter water, it’s typically for hydration, cooling down, or escaping predators.

can tree frogs breathe underwater?

Tree frogs cannot breathe underwater like fish do. However, they can absorb some oxygen through their skin when submerged. It’s important to note that they still need to come up for air and cannot stay underwater indefinitely.

How long can tree frogs swim?

Tree frogs can typically swim for 5-10 minutes before needing to rest or reach land. Their feet are not fully webbed like frogs adapted for swimming. This means they tire more quickly in water. Frogs that live primarily in or near aquatic environments don’t tire as fast.

Tree frogs’ limb movements let them tread water. They can swim short distances for several minutes. This helps them escape danger if they fall into the water near their tree habitat.

Conclusion

The widespread myths about tree frogs’ ability to swim may prove to be a big concern for tree frog owners. Similarly, putting tree frogs in artificial ponds will lead to some damage. So it’s important for anyone having a tree frog to know the reality.

 Tree frogs should be kept in settings that are favorable for their existence. But it’s never a bad option to put a water bowl in the terrarium. Who knows, you may get to see some breaststroke swimming from your tree frogs.