Is Vaseline Dangerous to Amphibians?

Originally Posted by KingCam

I have a lobster roach colony (nauphoeta cinerea). As you may know, they are a climbing species, so the only way to bowl feed would be to add a thin coating of vaseline to the inside rims of the bowl. If a frog got some vaseline on them during feeding would it be bad? I currently tong feed all of my critters, but I plan to have a lot of baby frogs this spring, and there's no way I can dedicate the time to feed each one by hand.

I tried using the search function to make sure someone else hadn't already asked this question, but after trying about 5 different searches (and having to wait 45 seconds between each one) I decided it would just be quicker to post my question.

Seems kinda silly to put so much emphasis on wanting people to use the search function only to make it a pain in the ace to use.

Vasoline is a petrolium product which of course means made from oil so I would assume it to be toxic if ingested. Have you tried a glass bowl. It would be a slick surface? Not sure if Lobster Roaches have clawed or sticky feet. I wouldn't put any oil based product in with your frog that could accidentally be ingested.

Originally Posted by GrifTheGreat

Vasoline is a petrolium product which of course means made from oil so I would assume it to be toxic if ingested. Have you tried a glass bowl. It would be a slick surface? Not sure if Lobster Roaches have clawed or sticky feet. I wouldn't put any oil based product in with your frog that could accidentally be ingested.

Lobster Roaches have feet capable of climbing upside down on glass. The only thing that stops them is vaseline or commercial bug stop barriers. I wonder if my dubia nymphs would be small enough for newly transformed froglets?

Originally Posted by KingCam

Lobster Roaches have feet capable of climbing upside down on glass. The only thing that stops them is vaseline or commercial bug stop barriers. I wonder if my dubia nymphs would be small enough for newly transformed froglets?

For Grays? I guess that would depend on the size of the nymphs. Froglets that are small can eat tiny crickets like pinhead sized.

Originally Posted by GrifTheGreat

For Grays? I guess that would depend on the size of the nymphs. Froglets that are small can eat tiny crickets like pinhead sized.

Yeah, for greys. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. I know the lobster roach nymphs would work because they are about the same size as a pinhead cricket.

I've been trying to think of a similar solution for having a section in my tank for feeding... Was thinking fluon might be the way to go since it dries. Does anybody know if once dried, fluon is toxic to frogs? Does it wash away with water (so would risk being absorbed by the frog)?

Originally Posted by Kristen87

I've been trying to think of a similar solution for having a section in my tank for feeding... Was thinking fluon might be the way to go since it dries. Does anybody know if once dried, fluon is toxic to frogs? Does it wash away with water (so would risk being absorbed by the frog)?

I do not know what fluon is. Read what is in it. I'm sure that it probably is toxic. If it evaporates it probably leavse some sort of residue behind which could be bad.

Originally Posted by KingCam

Yeah, for greys. I guess I'll just have to wait and see. I know the lobster roach nymphs would work because they are about the same size as a pinhead cricket.

A dubia nymph is like a millimeter long. I'm sure they're small enough

Oh sorry, maybe its just an australian thing... I've read about it on a few different forums, its like a paint that dries really slick. People use it when breeding insects like roaches, ants etc to stop them escaping. They can't climb over it once it dries. Its supposedly water-based but doesn't wash off when it dries. I'm not sure if it evaporates - I haven't used it myself since I've just stuck with vaseline in my breeding containers but am hoping to find a way to have them in with my frogs without giving them free run of the enclosure. Its like teflon which is the non-stick part of non-stick saucepans... This is toxic when heated to about 300 degrees because of the fumes produced but other than that I can't seem to find any more info on its toxicity. If anyone has used fluon and has any more info on its toxicity or lack of toxicity to frogs, would love to hear from you.

Originally Posted by Kristen87

Oh sorry, maybe its just an australian thing... I've read about it on a few different forums, its like a paint that dries really slick. People use it when breeding insects like roaches, ants etc to stop them escaping. They can't climb over it once it dries. Its supposedly water-based but doesn't wash off when it dries. I'm not sure if it evaporates - I haven't used it myself since I've just stuck with vaseline in my breeding containers but am hoping to find a way to have them in with my frogs without giving them free run of the enclosure. Its like teflon which is the non-stick part of non-stick saucepans... This is toxic when heated to about 300 degrees because of the fumes produced but other than that I can't seem to find any more info on its toxicity. If anyone has used fluon and has any more info on its toxicity or lack of toxicity to frogs, would love to hear from you.

Ok its paint. Hmm even if water based that doesn't mean that its entirely safe for frogs, but like I said if you read the ingredients and warning labels that could give you some insight as well.

Yeah will do if I can find a bottle somewhere From what I've read online the label says its safe and non-toxic... it is sold in herp stores but I'd rather be on the safe side. Just hoping someone will have personal experience with it/ a bottle that they can read the label on.

Originally Posted by KingCam

I have a lobster roach colony (nauphoeta cinerea). As you may know, they are a climbing species, so the only way to bowl feed would be to add a thin coating of vaseline to the inside rims of the bowl. If a frog got some vaseline on them during feeding would it be bad? I currently tong feed all of my critters, but I plan to have a lot of baby frogs this spring, and there's no way I can dedicate the time to feed each one by hand.

I tried using the search function to make sure someone else hadn't already asked this question, but after trying about 5 different searches (and having to wait 45 seconds between each one) I decided it would just be quicker to post my question.

Seems kinda silly to put so much emphasis on wanting people to use the search function only to make it a pain in the ace to use.

I think it would be risky!
But then , I'm on a petroleum product 'war path'.
I will not even use any cosmetic w/ it anymore - let along let my frogs near it.

The question I have would be if the vaseline would block the frogs from absorbing oxygen through their skin.

I was hoping someone would say "Oh yeah, I've been doing that for years with no problems." But no one did, LOL. In other words: I won't be using vasoline near my frogs. I'll just have to either figure out a different way, or use my dubia colony instead of my lobster roach colony.

Originally Posted by Frog Mom

The question I have would be if the vaseline would block the frogs from absorbing oxygen through their skin.

Good point!
Plus, it is likely a carcinogen!

Originally Posted by flybyferns

Good point!
Plus, it is likely a carcinogen!

Hell, it might even make them grow a second head out of their backs!!! THEN I'D HAVE TWICE AS MANY MOUTHS TO FEED!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Originally Posted by KingCam

I have a lobster roach colony (nauphoeta cinerea). As you may know, they are a climbing species, so the only way to bowl feed would be to add a thin coating of vaseline to the inside rims of the bowl. If a frog got some vaseline on them during feeding would it be bad? I currently tong feed all of my critters, but I plan to have a lot of baby frogs this spring, and there's no way I can dedicate the time to feed each one by hand.

I tried using the search function to make sure someone else hadn't already asked this question, but after trying about 5 different searches (and having to wait 45 seconds between each one) I decided it would just be quicker to post my question.

Seems kinda silly to put so much emphasis on wanting people to use the search function only to make it a pain in the ace to use.

This may be a silly question?
But - What would be wrong with the lobster roach climbing around?

Originally Posted by flybyferns

This may be a silly question?
But - What would be wrong with the lobster roach climbing around?

It's not a silly question.

Lobster roaches are insanely fast, and their babies are tiny. If they were allowed to run around I'd have to have my baby frogs in a tank with zero ventilation (because the roaches would be small enough to get out of even the tiniest hole), and even then, when I took the lid off roaches could go running out before I could stop them. I dunno about you, but roaches creep me out, and I DON'T want them loose in my house :P They already give me nightmares just being in their bins.

Originally Posted by KingCam

It's not a silly question.

Lobster roaches are insanely fast, and their babies are tiny. If they were allowed to run around I'd have to have my baby frogs in a tank with zero ventilation (because the roaches would be small enough to get out of even the tiniest hole), and even then, when I took the lid off roaches could go running out before I could stop them. I dunno about you, but roaches creep me out, and I DON'T want them loose in my house :P They already give me nightmares just being in their bins.

Yikes!
They are creepy.
I KNOW !! How about some plain jane crickets! lol

Originally Posted by flybyferns

I KNOW !! How about some plain jane crickets! lol

but but but! That defeats the purpose of me breeding roaches to avoid paying outrageous prices for crickets at *shivers* petco. Just thinking about how many people are shopping there right now, paying 5x what things are actually worth, it makes me a little bit sick inside.