Substrate for Tree frog?

[Kerry1968]

There are so many options for substrate out there and I have got completely confused.

One place said to use large wood/bark chips as the frog won't swallow these, another said use small size pieces for the substrate in case the frog swallows any, it'll be easier to travel through the digestive system of the frog. Others recommend sp(h)agnum or similar, I have looked at coir, humus, soil substitute, orchid bark, the list is endless!

Is it really personal preference, is there a type that is definately not recommended?

I was thinking of using one of those block type coconut husk substrates, or humus. I read that humus is better as it will encourage natural breakdown of any waste.

By the way, I also want to introduce tropical woodlice into the substrate, I don't know if that'll make a difference to what I end up with?

Thank you.

[SludgeMunkey]

I use a mix of topsoil and coir for my Cope's grays. Since the needs and natural habitats of tree frogs vary greatly, my vote is a coir (thats the coconut husk stuff!) as the generic basic substrate.

The stuff is cheap. You get a lot for your money. It is easy to keep clean. It has excellent moisture retention properties.

[scribbles]

I use coconut husk soil along with damp moss.

[Tom Highum]

Humus? whats that?

[SludgeMunkey]

Humus is another word for loam, which is (generally speaking) partially composted leaf litter.

[Tom Highum]

Hmm where do they sell it?

[Kurt]

At the partially composted leaf litter store, duh.

[Tom Highum]

At the partially composted leaf litter store, duh.

Oh yeah theres one next to the baby dinosaur store (I don't have one because I don't have a large enough terrarium)

[snoopfroggyfrog]

I use large bark pieces and build up areas with moss, so far havent found any coconut local to me.
They seem fine with it tho and definatly cant swallow it....

[SludgeMunkey]

I actually prefer a leaf litter/soil mix for most of my amphibians, but living so close to a major Air Force installation AND living in the largest lead Superfund on the planet limits my options. (I had to dig down four feet to get to safe soil for my garden!)

Good news is, my forthcoming trip back to Pennsylvania will yield a few cubic feet of prime dirt and as much leaf litter as I can fit into a roof rack box I built special for the purpose. And moss, ferns, and a ton of other stuff for vivaria. (You know you are waaaay to into this hobby when you use a family holiday as the excuse so you can get more habitat supplies for your critters!)

[Tom Highum]

Haha I use family holidays to get more critters now that is too much.

[Kurt]

I use large bark pieces and build up areas with moss, so far havent found any coconut local to me.

That's because coconuts don't grow in England. However, sometimes they can be found in the UK, they are often carried there by swallows, which grip the coconuts by their husks. Science has you to figure out how a two ounce bird is able to carry a one pound coconut. Research, however, is being carried out by Idle, Cleese, Jones, Gilliam, and Palin at CMIST.

[snoopfroggyfrog]

lol.......

i get the point!......... he hee.. obviously i ment the packed substrate type..........

[Kurt]

Oh, well thats a lot different.

[Tom Highum]

Kurt African or European swallows?

[Kurt]

Uh-um, I don't know. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!