Found a tree frog in grocery cabbage, not sure how to help

[InfinitysDaughter]

For my grays I dangle the worm in front of them with my hand or tweezers until they go for it. It usually doesn't take long. For my green I just drape it on a nearby perch and he destroys it almost immediately. Worms can climb glass, so if you are going to put in a feeder bowl they'd probably have to be chopped up or they may escape and then burrow into the substrate. I don't know how long they'll wriggle for when chopped though, mine usually don't live long enough to die by the dissection when I have to go that route and I can almost always find appropriate sized worms.

Well Percy is very very little. The space between her eyes is only about half an inch so I'd totally have to cut up earth worms. But over on the pac forum they made it sound like cutting the worms wouldn't kill them unless you like, eviscerate them to get the frogs more interested in them. I'll save a few worms from the next fishing trip and see if Percy will eat one.

[ak737]

Thanks again guys. I put part of a worm in with him while I was waiting for the windshield of my car to dry so I can go to the pet store (just bad timing for a broken windshield and traveling tree frog.) He was interested in it when it wriggled, but it stopped quickly. He may not have eaten it, but it gives me hope since he was just afraid of everything else. Getting crickets asap and hoping. I'll let you know if he decides to eat. Also, I'm not worried about anyone taking over this thread because any info I can get is highly valuable since I've never kept an amphibian before and if all goes well I will have him to look after for a while.

[UncleChester]

Well Percy is very very little. The space between her eyes is only about half an inch so I'd totally have to cut up earth worms. But over on the pac forum they made it sound like cutting the worms wouldn't kill them unless you like, eviscerate them to get the frogs more interested in them. I'll save a few worms from the next fishing trip and see if Percy will eat one.

In my opinion the worm can be longer than the space between the frogs eyes, these aren't hard shelled feeders like crickets. My one Gray is about 1.5" long SVL and I feed it earthworms that are about 2" with no problems. A 2" earthworm is still very thin. Of course I don't think you usually get worms that small from a bait shop, so chop, chop, chop!

...He may not have eaten it, but it gives me hope since he was just afraid of everything else. Getting crickets asap and hoping. I'll let you know if he decides to eat. ...

He may find crickets fast and hard to catch, it sounded like one of his rear legs was gimpy? You can try putting the crickets in the fridge for a few minutes or in the freezer for 30 seconds or so before placing in front of them. Ideally you want to chill them long enough that they stop moving or slow down to a crawl but not long enough to kill them. As they warm up and start moving, they make easy targets.

[ak737]

I may very well have to do that. When I gave him the pedialyte bath he seemed to relax and then perk up. He even moved himself around in it a little bit. Then put him in the tank with crickets. He seemed interested and opened his mouth a few times and stretched, but hasn't tried to get one yet. They move away from him so I might have to chill them so he can make an attempt. If that doesn't work would a honey bath help to potentially get him mobile or more alert or maybe give him a caloric boost? I know I need to be patient but I also don't want the crickets to injure him. For now there are three in the tank and the lights are out except the heat lamp. Was really looking forward to knowing how hot it was in there today, but the thermometer i bought isn't working. :/

[InfinitysDaughter]

You might try using tweezers to hold the crickets in front of his face. You have to be careful because if there the small ones it is very hard to do without squishing the crickets but aim for a back leg and dangle them in front of his mouth.

I dont know the honey vs pedialte. I've always just used pedialte. It could take a few baths before he fully perks up. Just make sure its warm water. And I would get a new thermometer as soon as you can. And a hydrometer if you can find it. That will tell you if the humidity is good (though mostly if you have a water dish and mist then your good but with a sicky its always best to be extra sure).

[ak737]

Here's a quick update. He, Newton (I know a silly name but my fiance said it and he repeatedly likes it), is mobile. I'm not sure if he ate or not, from what I can tell he hasn't as far as the crickets I've put in vs those found dead. It is possible he ate one though and I am just off because of a number of crickets misunderstanding. Either way he looks a lot better. He has turned from pale yellow green to dark green to nearly brown. He went from no movement, to a couple inches tops, to the top of the aquarium on the climbing log. If I didn't know the numbers I'd swear he ate. If not, I'm hopeful that his new mobility will assist him in that. We will try slowing the crickets down for him again if he is still unable to get one. It seems his chances are much higher though. Thank you guys for all of your help. I'm sure I'll still have questions, but this has been a great frog rescue 101 faculty.

[InfinitysDaughter]

He sounds like hes doing AWESOME! Dark green and brown are the right colors for these guys so knowing hes changed from that sickly yellow to brown and green means a lot. Its probable that he went into a kind of suspended animation in the cabbage cooler and in that state they dont need fed. He should start eating soon I'm sure.

I'm so happy that hes doing so much better for you! It sounds like Newton (I think thats an adorable name!) is is wonderful hands and will only get better and better in your care.

[ak737]

One last update, I'm sure he's eating now because I just witnessed it. Put a cricket on the log near him and pretty much as soon as the lid went down he pounced and got it. 100% turn around from where he started for sure. Now as long as any little cuts or bruises heal and I don't mess anything up I'm pretty sure he'll be just fine. Again, thanks everyone for your help in rescuing this cute little guy.