Pacific Chorus Frogs- overall heath, feeding questions

[AbranV]

I've had my chorus frogs for about five months now and have some general questions about them.

1. At what age would they be considered adults?

2. When should I stop with the daily feedings?

3. What is considered to be a healthy body size/ shape? Ex. Plump? Slim? Round? Pear shaped?

4. If free fed, will they not stop eating until everything is gone? Or will they stop when they've had their fill?

5. Is there an overall PCF health standard? OR what's considered a healthy/happy frog?

I've been checking out amphibian books from the library, looking online, but there is a lot if conflicting information out there. This post is to help clarify some of those opinions. Thanks for all of the help

[flybyferns]

Adults- about a year ( ish) / when you hear calling from males/ or observe nuptial pads

You don't have to stop daily feedings

Normal body shape - look at photos in some of the references provided below

I'm not sure if they will 'over-feed' ?

The problem with free roaming feeders is they die in the substrate ( yuck ) of which results in not being able to monitor food intake;
which in turn leaves you 'unsure' how many feeder to offer to develop a feeding schedule.

Developing a feeding schedule is a way to monitor the frogs health.
Keep an eye on a frog that is not eating at all.

Pseudacris regilla

http://explorer.natureserve.org/serv...LOBAL.2.857719

numerous references :
Pseudacris regilla (Pacific Chorus Frog)

[Jessalyn]

It's hard to say really what they should look like. When they're still young/feeding on fruit flies they're pretty slender, but once you start feeding them crickets they can start to look pretty plump especially the females. I've noticed some times mine will eat until they can't fit any more in their bellies, and some times they only snack on one cricket. If they do look pretty stuffed, I usually wait a day or two to make sure they aren't bloated or have an impaction.

As far as being fully grown adults a year or so like fly said. My male started calling at around 3 months old, but I'm pretty sure I have another male and he's not calling.

I'm definitely not an expert, this is just from what I've experienced with mine

[AbranV]

Thanks for the replies!

I'm pretty sure mine are healthy, and VERY well fed. I have them "trained" on a feeding schedule every evening. They are usually tong fed dubias or crickets, and have fruit flies roaming if they feel like a snack. Both of them have different personalities when it comes to dinner time. One is an aggressive hunter, and the other is more of a methodical hunter. The aggressive hunter tends to eat more than its share which is where the tongs come into play.

My problem now, is that they are so used to the tongs they don't want to wait their turn.
I've had them climb over each other trying to get to the bug first, I had one bite the other's leg thinking it was his turn. They're both crazy little devils when its dinner time.

I've experimented by offering a bug until they're full, but quickly realized they will not stop until I did. Then I've tried to feed them a set number depending on bug size, and not sure if its too much or not enough. They always have a supply if fruit flies if they need more until the next feeding.

As far as the rest of my questions go, I'm trying to filter through all of the contradictions out there, and get my answers from the peeps that also care for Pacific Chorus frogs.

Thanks again,

Abran