Shedding issues.

[BeckyM]

Temp runs about 72-74 degrees. Yes, I mist him daily. I've never used substrate. I'm kind of scared he'll get it in his mouth and choke on it.

Now, I saw something at work that would work wonderfully under my tank...in theory. We sell these little flat...planter heating things. Would that go over well with a 10 gallon tank or do I need something frog specific? (He's STILL shedding by the way. I put him someplace warmer and...nope. He's still at it.)

Where I used to live was VERY hot and humid. Then I moved to the cold. I've been here three years and this is the first winter he's had issues. It's also the first winter we've had very little snow.

[JHansson514]

I'm not sure what a plant heater looks like, but I know there are under tank heaters intended specifically for reptiles and they stick to the tank. If it's also the same lines I would think it should work, just make sure it doesn't get too hot. If you do an under tank heater you need to make sure the tank is slightly elevated so that air flows underneath the tank and heater, so excess heat can escape and so the tank won't crack (the zoomed brand heat pad comes with little rubber feet to elevate the tank). If you do use a heat pad that makes substrate more important because it acts as an insulator so the frog doesn't sit directly on the pad and risk burning himself. If you don't want to use substrate (or if you do and it turns out the frog is a digger) I would recommend putting something over the heat pad, inside the tank, so that if the frog does sit/dig in that area he cannot get to the heat pad. Reptile carpeting/terrarium liners are what is usually recommended. I use a glass cooling plate (which also has rubber feet to raise it off the floor of the tank) because I think it is easier to clean and hold less bacteria. If you do go with reptile carpeting/terrarium liner make sure you do have substrate on top of it because the lining itself can irritate the skin of the frog.

As for eating the substrate, yes it does occasionally get ingested. That's why most people used a ground coconut fiber (EcoEarth) substrate or something else that is safe if it is accidentally ingested. My White's do sometimes get a mouthful of substrate since they're clumsy hunters, but the usually spit most of it back out.

I haven't had much snow at my end of the country either. Never thought I'd say it, but I miss the snow. Even though it is warmer, I wonder if it somehow that has an impact on frog health (even though their tanks stay consistent), like they can sense it or something. The world needs winter for a reason.

Sorry to write such a book. But of course you do whatever you think is best for your little guy. Hope it helps.

[BeckyM]

I'll see what I can manage as far as heaters go. I think the plant heater was a similar concept, but I'm not sure how warm it gets. I wonder if a heat lamp would be effective...


Yeah, I think it has too. Though, it's weird here. Less snow means it feels colder. And it's dryer too. >_<