Atrium Question

[frogandtoad]

I have an atrium, a small room-sized outdoor thing. It has a small pond, which is about 2 ft. by 3 ft. and 9 in. deep. I will put a water lily in the pond. There are many plants in the atrium. Could I keep a frog or a toad there? If so, which kind of frog?

[SludgeMunkey]

Sounds like frog heaven to me!

I think the keys in choosing species for this enclosure are:

Average temperature range through the day- Daytime Max/Nightime Min
Average Humidity in the Atrium
Size of the animal.
How to feed the critters.

Some Anura do better in cooler conditions, others in warm. Some like it tropical damp, some like it drier.

I feel that size of the animal is the most important factor though, as many species tend to be rather reclusive if given the chance. Personally, I would research Larger species that thrive in the interior environmental conditions of the atrium. Otherwise, you may add animals and never see them. feeding could be an issue, as you would have to stock the atrium with many live critters regularly to ensure your frogs get enough to eat. This is also an important factor, as you may not want a colony of house crickets living in there!

[John]

Actually this would be idea for toads, provided they can access the pond at the right time of year. I'd be a little less hopeful for ground-dwelling frogs since they are not very tolerant of low temperatures and lack of moisture. The other alternative is a treefrog, provided you live in their range (otherwise you risk breaking the law by them escaping). Since you don't say where you live it's hard to make specific recommendations.

[frogandtoad]

My pond has breeding mosquito fish in it, and don't some toads eat feeder fish like that? I also have four goldfish in the pond. I live in Encinitas, California, near San Diego. The atrium does not have a roof, so it is exactly like going outside in a mini-yard.

[Kurt]

Just FYI, most frogs can climb, including a lot of Ranid species. Just something to think about.

[SludgeMunkey]

Ah Encinitas! I lived in those parts for many years.

I would highly suggest a roof of shade cloth. The dry summer months out there provide punishing sunlight. Shade cloth, like open mesh landscaper's cloth, will keep your critters in, provide shade, and help keep "visitors" out.

[frogandtoad]

Actually there are wooden bars at the top, leaving about four-inch spaces. Also my mosquito fish need the sunlight, soooo.... i don't know if i should put mesh up there.

[SludgeMunkey]

That pretty much eliminates frogs in there then. They would escape or cook in the sun during the dry part of the year.

[frogandtoad]

Oh well... I tried.

[Tom Highum]

Couldn't you cover part of it to offer a temperature gradient? Or previde lots of cover like plants with broad leaves and other hides.

[frogandtoad]

Yes but then wouldn't they hop out?

[Tom Highum]

you could also provide a screen cover over the entire thing and do what i said before