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In captivity the keeper must simulate the dry season by cooling the enclosure and reducing humidity. Dry season temperatures should be about 70°-75° F (21°-24° C) during the day with a drop of about 10° F (6° C) at night. The enclosure should be misted rarely, if at all, with a water dish or in-viv water feature providing a place for the frogs to soak and remain hydrated. Minimal feeding is required during this time.

Female Agalychnis callidryas with eggs

After two to three months the frogs may be brought into breeding condition by raising daytime temperatures to 80°-85° F (26°-29° C), misting heavily to maintain high humidity and feeding as much as the frogs will consume. After several weeks the females will become visibly heavy with eggs and the breeding group may be transferred to a rain chamber. Eggs may be left in place to develop or transferred to a separate container by cutting the leaf they have been laid on and suspending it over water. Humidity should be high for the developing egg mass but do not allow water to collect on it. After hatching the tadpoles may be reared in standard aquaria or plastic tubs. The water does not need to be heated, though warmer temperatures will result in faster development. The water should be filtered by a sponge filter and partial water changes performed regularly. Tadpoles will feed on commercial tropical fish flakes, tadpole diets, and fresh vegetable matter.



When the tadpoles have developed their legs they may be transferred to a transitional setup which allows them to easily leave the water when ready. They are very susceptible to drowning at this stage. After leaving the water it may take several days for the tail to be completely absorbed, when this process is complete the froglets will begin to feed on appropriately sized prey.



Froglets may be kept in relatively small enclosures at first to allow for ease of observation and to concentrate prey in a small area. As the frogs grow they will require large quarters due to their size and activity levels. At a minimum the adults should be housed in an enclosure measuring 18 x 18 x 24 inches (60 x 45 x 60 cm), though they will appreciate more space. The enclosure may be a simple quarantine style or a more complex naturalistic vivarium. As with all leaf frogs, good ventilation is the key to success. Humidity may be maintained by regular misting or fogging, but do not restrict airflow in an attempt to retain humidity.
Feeding

A. callidryas feeds on insects and other arthropods. Appropriate prey include crickets, small roaches like Blatta lateralis and Nauphoeta cinerea, cultured houseflies, and moths. Feeder insects should be dusted regularly with an appropriate vitamin and mineral supplement.