Got an idea and an ethics question

[Teh Frog Whisperer]

In my search to find a good pet to get my little brother for his birthday, I am now considering Hyla versicolor, or the grey tre frog. Now, I thought it would be fun for both of us, but especially him, to go out to our dad's friend's farm and catch a grey tree frog for him to keep. But here's my ethics question-what are your thoughts on catching a grey tree frog for him to keep as a pet? Is it right, okay, or wrong, and why?

[DonLisk]

Although it is fun and could be exciting for your younger sibling to catch an keep a frog from the wild, there are many reason to not do this.
I think the biggest one would be the frogs long term captivity. Since stress is the biggest reason a frog dies in captivity, your catching it, putting it in unfamiliar surrounding, and then the added handling and maintenance of the enclosure will ultimately be the downfall of such a gift.
Wild caught frogs usually have parasite and bacterial issues that while in the wild are kept in check but adding in the stress of capture and captivity reduces the frogs immune system enough to allow for these issues to become a health problem.

So, in my option, setting up a tank to meet a frogs environmental needs first, and then purchasing a healthy captive bred frog is way more long term happiness than a locally captured one.

[flybyferns]

In my search to find a good pet to get my little brother for his birthday, I am now considering Hyla versicolor, or the grey tre frog. Now, I thought it would be fun for both of us, but especially him, to go out to our dad's friend's farm and catch a grey tree frog for him to keep. But here's my ethics question-what are your thoughts on catching a grey tree frog for him to keep as a pet? Is it right, okay, or wrong, and why?

Its a very personal decision. I'm wondering why you are questioning it.
Your idea to participate in developing a wonderful hobby and spending precious time with you brother is priceless.
Take him to the farm,find the frog, let him hold it, touch it , study its environment - AND LEAVE IT THERE!
Tell him why we don't take animals from the wild!!!
You will leave a lasting impression with whatever decision you make.
I'm sure you know how inexpensive a captive bred grey tree frog is!

Wildlife habitats are falling apart around us because of human interference!

[Teh Frog Whisperer]

I understand why I shouldn't catch a grey tree frog, and frankly I was doubting whether to do it from the start. I'll find something else for him then. I've been thinkin' about a White's tree frog, an Amazon milk frog, or even a waxy monkey frog. I asked him about what he wanted and he says he wants a tree frog, or preferably a tree frog tadpole.

[Heatheranne]

Both are making great points.

It is a great experience to raise a frog and to teach the changes in their lifecycle and how to properly care for a frog and it's environment.

Doing so in the proper way is very rewarding, and especially if your frog(s) learn to respond to us in a positive way .

If you really enjoy frogs, it is a wonderful thing to also respect and encourage their continual existence. You can do so by caring for captive bred frogs .

Saving their natural species from becoming endangered is very important, especially since humans and habitat destruction (also caused by humans) are the number one cause for their declining numbers.

Maybe consider choosing a frog through after reading the thread here about choosing a frog. Study their average species behaviors and housing needs and see which would most make you both happy . Then choose your frog(s), perhaps captive-bred?

[InfinitysDaughter]

I understand why I shouldn't catch a grey tree frog, and frankly I was doubting whether to do it from the start. I'll find something else for him then. I've been thinkin' about a White's tree frog, an Amazon milk frog, or even a waxy monkey frog. I asked him about what he wanted and he says he wants a tree frog, or preferably a tree frog tadpole.

If your still interested in a Gray tree frog and your brother is interested in a tadpole you could try setting up a tall bucket with some sticks and large leaves (maybe aquatic plants if you can afford them) and a system such as a fish tank bubbler (a small one) to agitate the water just slightly. A tall bucket will keep toads and other ground amphibians from getting into it, the plants will simulate a pond environment and give the tree frogs something to attach there eggs to, and the bubbler will keep mosquitoes from breeding in the still water but make sure it dosn't agitate the water too much as too much movement will make the frogs nervous of whats in the water.

With this system your getting a pet for your brother, teaching him about the life cycle of the common gray, teaching him about conservation of the species, and getting him excited about finding eggs or tadpoles in "his" bucket. Then when you get tadpols you can release some of them (you'll get several 100 per clutch of eggs) in a local pond, keep a handful (around 10 or so is good depending on what kind of housing system you have), raise them to froglets, let some of them go, and finally he gets to keep 1 or 2 of the baby frogs that he helped bring into this world.

This encourages more breeding among the wild frogs on your dad's farm and is a wonderful, educational, and exciting present for your brother.

[Whistly]

Make sure whatever you choose both of you are well read up on how to care for it.