Needing help on a frog my son just found.

[vnshirley]

Hi all. My son just found a frog on our roof inside a pvc air pipe. I have looked it up and I think it is a Gray Tree Frog. This seems to be only thing we can come up with online. I found your forum while searching. I personally do not like frogs but my son loves them. He now has a new pet. I have printed the info I found on this frog to help him in any way.

Right this minute I do not have the money to get everything he needs to make a proper home. Can anyone tell me what we can use around the house and yard to make his frog more comfortable and at home? We have a 20 gallon tall aquarium already. Just need to know how to fix it up for him.

Also wondering if someone can help with the species we have. Or if it is male or female. I am going to post pics of it to help out. We live in Central Louisiana and not sure which species lives here.

Many thanks to all who help,
Nikki and Skyler

[flybyferns]

You might want to go put the frog back where you found it ?
It's tempting , I know !

[DonLisk]

The care sheet can be found here: http://www.frogforum.net/content/gray-tree-frog-care-breeding-120/

I myself would return the frog to the place it was found. Stress is a big enemy of your frog since it opens them up to so many health issues. Not having a high and hidden or secure feeling and the new unusual sounds and sights will all have an effect on him.


If you decide its not going back to the wild, you will basically need a 20 gallon tank to start. The higher the better since they do live in trees. A few plants such as snake plant, a bromeliad, pothos, or creaping fig will work fine for him. NO fertilizers can go in so they have to be washed off and the fertilized soil removed and roots cleaned before putting in the tank.
The live plants help with keeping the humidity up since you are going to have to keep the tank at 60 percent humidity all the time.
Misting twice a day will help with this.

The tank needs to be where its quiet and dark at night. The substrate needs to be something safe as in digestible or not able to fit in the frogs mouth. Plantation soil or eco earth from a pet store would be my choice. Leafs can be boiled (Magnolia, Live Oak) and used also.
Your biggest issue is going to be feeding. Since he is small, fruit flies can be obtained from a local petco. If you purchase crickets they need to be smaller then the the width between the frogs eyes.
You must monitor his intake of food to determine he is eating. Feed in the evening.
If you feed crickets, a small bowl sunk into the dirt will allow you to put in crickets monitor what he eats. The crickets will also need to be dusted with calcium.


A lot to learn so I would read the care sheet above, look at some members photo albums for tank ideas, and ask questions as you think of them.

[Crikey]

The little dude should definitly go back. There are so many lovely captive bred frogs that you and your so can go pick out

[EJT97]

I agree, I no your son will be upset but its best for the frog, then once you get the money and have researched properly then get a captive breed frog.

[Louis Charles Bruckner]

I will also agree to put the frog back where you found it.
It is use to being in the wild, it will be very stressful for it to try to adjust to captivity.
And too much stress can kill a frog.

I strongly recommend that you let your son do some research on what kind of frog
he will like to take care of.
and get one that is captive bred that is so much better for the environment.
Currently wild fog populations are declining and need every bit of help we can give them.
Have him save up to get the correct enclosure and support equipment needed to keep the frog
happy and healthy.
I tried to rescue a american bull frog and sadly it did not acclimate to captive living.
My self I am waiting until my vivaruim is well stablished before I even get my frogs.
I just finished getting the water part of the enclosure squared away and some feeder
guppies are calling it home for now.
I plan on getting a few whites dumpy tree frogs for now.
I have been keeping aquariums for the last 20 years and have kept African dwarf frogs
along with some non aggressive fish like neon tetras , ottos , cherry barbs , emerald corys and amno shrimp.

I hope your son will understand that the wild frog may be really cool but it really wants to be
free.
Until you release it handle it as little as possible and make sure you wash and rinse your hands
very well before handling it.
Frogs are very sensitive creatures and can adsorb chemicals and perfumes though their skin.

Again please let your son do some research on what kind of frog he wants and what it needs to be
happy and healthy.
and let it be a birthday present or late christmas gift.