Peacock Ornate Tree Frog, Leptopelis vermiculatus

[itzjezze]

I just aquired my first frog. I have a 10Gal aquarium, undertank heater on half of the tank with a 60watt red bulb above it. I keep half of the tank warmer than the other side and keep an average of 60-70F (Coolside) 75-85F(Warmside). I use coco loose substrate, I have a few grape branches and some fake viny leafy bunches on the walls but nothing setup for climbing yet and I have a few real bamboo plants in 3/4 of the corners. And ofcourse I have a small half circle hiding log wich is under the heating bulb with the undertank heater underneath of that.
From what I understand, other than the lack of hight in the terrarium, I have everything setup correctly to keep my little guy happy. We got his 3 days ago and he spends 98.99% of his time at the very top of the cage staring at the roof. He rarely is seen at the bottom of the tank but he is finaly eating now. I read that he eats 6 crickets a day but the (large) crickets that he eats are almost as big as he is is it true that he realy needs 6 a day?
So anyways my question other than the cricket consumption is: is this the correct setup for a treefrog like this? and is it normal for him to spend all day staring at the roof?

[Kurt]

The set-up seems ok to me, thought I am not a big fan of red lights. With the heating pad is it really necessary? As far as eating get smaller crickets and there is not set rule as to how many the frog has to eat on a given day.

[itzjezze]

All of the care sheets recomended the undertank heater, does that harm the frog? In the past 4 days he has ate a total of 3 larg crickets. I called the pet shop, they said they fed him 5-6week old large crickets so im assuming that is what petsmart (where I bought the "large" crickets) carries, they only have small and large and if not a red light than what would you suggest? I need to keep the temp up somehow and I cant keep the whole room at 80 during the winter lol

[Kurt]

Heating pads are fine, but generally, we mount them on the side of the tank to prevent thermal shock, which can occur when cool, moist substrate comes in contact with heated glass. On the side of the tank, this is less likely to occur. Instead of using a red "night light" try using a ceramic heat emitter. They produce no light, allowing nocturnal frogs the darkness they need to function, whilst keeping them warm. They screw into any clamp-light or standard light socket.

[itzjezze]

Thank you for the help! I moved the tank heater to the side of the tank (not a fun task btw ) and I will be stopping by petco today to grab a ceramic heater. He seems to be eating a cricket every day now and I see him on the floor more often as far as I know he slept all night last night wich is when he is usualy active but I hope this new ceramic heater will help and I usualy had the windows blinds open so I closed them thinking that this would help also since there are several street lights outside.
I had one more question, during the summer we get temps between 85-100F, I know he can handle the 80s but if it gets to 95-100 would that make him sick? if so, do you recomend anything or should I just go buy a AC?



BTW! this smiley is crazy XD

[Kurt]

Temps about 90 could be harmful. AC would help a lot with that. Ceiling fans too. Cold moves downward, so you could put a bowl of ice cubes on top of the tank. Just monitor the temperatures to make sure you don't cool him too much.

Also, make sure he is getting enough calcium. I had one that suffered from hypocalcemia and I had to give it calcium orally for a while.