new male fantasy froglet

[aquamentus11]

Well, I was debating between Megophrys nasuta and a Ceratophrys spp., but I found a nice little green phase fantasy frog and picked him up tonight. He's slightly larger than a quarter and completely green with a speckled chin (I've read that this indicates that he's a male). I found him at Petsmart while buying crickets for my Polypedates dennysii. I've always made it a point to steer clear of Petsmart animals, but he had just arrived and looked so great that I had to save him before it was too late. My girlfriend was not happy, but she'll warm up to him after the first few feedings.
I've got him in a large, low kritterkeeper that looked perfect for a terrestrial frog. I'm debating between UTH and a CHE that I hang an inch or two above one side of the enclosure. I've heard that they will burrow down and burn themselves on UTH, but I also worry about the CHE drying things out. While I decide, I have the CHE set-up running. I've actually read many things re: temps for these guys. Some say that they need low 80's daytime, while others claim that room temps between 68 and 82 are fine considering that they burrow during the day to stay cool anyway. I just don't feel right keeping a tropical frog without heat (even though my Polypedates seems to prefer temps in the low to high 70's).
I tried tong feeding and he ate for me without any problems. I gave him .75" of nightcrawler and a .5" dusted cricket and he CRUSHED them. Watching him rage at that worm, I can tell I'm in for some laughs down the road. Frogs are so much more laid back than reptiles: every one I've owned has eaten for me right away. Now, I've got my arboreal and my terrestrial and I'm never going back. Pics to come tomorrow.

[GrifTheGreat]

Well, I was debating between Megophrys nasuta and a Ceratophrys spp., but I found a nice little green phase fantasy frog and picked him up tonight. He's slightly larger than a quarter and completely green with a speckled chin (I've read that this indicates that he's a male). I found him at Petsmart while buying crickets for my Polypedates dennysii. I've always made it a point to steer clear of Petsmart animals, but he had just arrived and looked so great that I had to save him before it was too late. My girlfriend was not happy, but she'll warm up to him after the first few feedings.
I've got him in a large, low kritterkeeper that looked perfect for a terrestrial frog. I'm debating between UTH and a CHE that I hang an inch or two above one side of the enclosure. I've heard that they will burrow down and burn themselves on UTH, but I also worry about the CHE drying things out. While I decide, I have the CHE set-up running. I've actually read many things re: temps for these guys. Some say that they need low 80's daytime, while others claim that room temps between 68 and 82 are fine considering that they burrow during the day to stay cool anyway. I just don't feel right keeping a tropical frog without heat (even though my Polypedates seems to prefer temps in the low to high 70's).
I tried tong feeding and he ate for me without any problems. I gave him .75" of nightcrawler and a .5" dusted cricket and he CRUSHED them. Watching him rage at that worm, I can tell I'm in for some laughs down the road. Frogs are so much more laid back than reptiles: every one I've owned has eaten for me right away. Now, I've got my arboreal and my terrestrial and I'm never going back. Pics to come tomorrow.

Buy a UTH made for Hermit Crab enclosures and place it on the back of the keeper. This will warm the keeper and is safe for plastic because it doesn't get as hot as the larger ones. Spots on the chin is not a good indicater for determining sex. Nuptial pads when the reach sexual maturity at 8 months to a year, or calling(croaking) indicate male. Females don't call and are mostly completely quiet, but can make sounds.

Pacman Frogs need day temps 80° to 82° and night temps 75° to 79°, but hover around 78°. Humidity needs to be 80%.

[aquamentus11]

I was considering "Cromwell" as a name, but may have to reconsider if he turns into a she. do you mean one of the 10-20gal ones or the smaller size? i've never been able to reach the proper temps using a side-mounted pad. the keeper is roughly 18"x12x7, so the 10-20gal pad is a little too large, but i'll try the smaller size and just crank it up all the way.

[aquamentus11]

thanks for the info on that pad. i just looked it up and the smallest size (8"x8) is sadly still a little large for the side of the keeper (only 7" tall), but a little dangling off won't hurt anything. i just ordered it and it should arrive friday. any more helpful tips?

[GrifTheGreat]

thanks for the info on that pad. i just looked it up and the smallest size (8"x8) is sadly still a little large for the side of the keeper (only 7" tall), but a little dangling off won't hurt anything. i just ordered it and it should arrive friday. any more helpful tips?

Zoo Med makes small UTH 4"x 5" item #RH-7

[aquamentus11]

Zoo Med makes small UTH 4"x 5" item #RH-7

gotcha, i have one. i'll set up the small keeper tomorrow after work when i can wash it out and set it up. i have a very tiny keeper too, probably 8x4" and a small circular keeper, but i doubt a water dish would fit in either.

[GrifTheGreat]

I was considering "Cromwell" as a name, but may have to reconsider if he turns into a she. do you mean one of the 10-20gal ones or the smaller size? i've never been able to reach the proper temps using a side-mounted pad. the keeper is roughly 18"x12x7, so the 10-20gal pad is a little too large, but i'll try the smaller size and just crank it up all the way.

Are talking about an actual glass tank?? If this froglet is quarter sized it needs to be in a small enclosure. Medium to large critter keeper due to them needing a lot of food an nutrition at baby and juvenile stages. The smaller the enclosure the easier it is for them to catch their food. Nothing larger than a 5 gallon at this point. They need small enclosures at young ages. To large of open space can overwhelm them causing stress.

[aquamentus11]

nope we're talking a plastic kritter keeper, but it does have a floor area of 17x12. i have a smaller one that's probably about 6x12 that i keep crickets in now, but had thought that would be too small for a growing gentleman. i think some pictures will help illustrate:



towel to hold moisture that i worry the CHE will get rid of. it's working so far: 80% at 80F







didn't want to dig him out: it's been a big day and i'd like to show this all to you without stressing him too much.

[Wizzlewuzzle]

Aw, your little guy is really cute. Definitely trust Grif's advice; he is insanely knowledgeable about these frogs!