In a pickle with two tiny grey tree frogs found on roof

[nixie]

Okay, there's really no way to set this up without sounding crazy, so here goes... We have a giant dragon prop on our roof for a Halloween display. We keep it on the back of the roof during the off season. My husband was moving the dragon to the front of the roof this morning, when he found two nickel sized grey tree frogs under the dragon's belly. He brought them inside, thinking he could put them in with Kreacher, our pet adult green tree frog--EEK! During the time I was explaining to him why putting them in with Kreacher wasn't an option, the little frogs warmed up in his hand. The temperatures are in the high 30's, low 40's today, with no warmer temps in sight. I would like to put them back outside, but I'm worried that they won't survive such a quick transition in temperature, especially being so tiny. I have provisions for them if keeping them indoors is their best chance for survival, so that's no problem, but I'm just not usually one for taking animals from the wild. What is the best plan of action? I just want to do what's best for them. Thank you for reading!

[hyla]

Please put them back outside. Put the frogs under some mulch, leaf litter, compost pile etc, anywhere they will not be disturbed by man or find a tree with loose bark and put them there.
Honestly putting them in with your current frog is a disasterous idea at best.
You could possibly introduce parasites to your green tree frog or the small gray tree frogs may be eaten.
The frogs will be fine outside. They are made to withstand dramatic temp changes and even secrete an antifreeze like substance to keep them protected from the cold.

Again, please return them to the wild asap.

[nixie]

Kristy, thank you for your response. I hope I don't sound snarky, I really don't mean to, but I explained in my post that I know better than to put them in with my tree frog and that my preference was to return them to the wild. I was just concerned that during the time I was explaining this to my husband, they warmed up so much that plopping them right out into the 38 degree temps would be too much for them since they are so tiny. I don't know much about baby frogs in the wild. I set them up in an extra tank and put them in the garage to reintroduce them to the colder temperatures without shocking them. The temps are supposed to be the warmest for the day around 2:00 this afternoon, I'm planning to let them go then. I love your idea of putting them in the compost pile!

[flybyferns]

Please put them back outside. Put the frogs under some mulch, leaf litter, compost pile etc, anywhere they will not be disturbed by man or find a tree with loose bark and put them there.
Honestly putting them in with your current frog is a disasterous idea at best.
You could possibly introduce parasites to your green tree frog or the small gray tree frogs may be eaten.
The frogs will be fine outside. They are made to withstand dramatic temp changes and even secrete an antifreeze like substance to keep them protected from the cold.

Again, please return them to the wild asap.

Hi Kristy and Nixie,
Kristy is right. Get them back outside!!!!
Good for you.............when you set them free !
That's where they belong !
Lynn

[KingCam]

Grey tree frogs are tough. Wait until the middle of the day when it's decently warm for your region to let them go. They would probably be fine even if you put them out in the cold, but if you're worried about it wait a couple days if there is a warm one in sight.

[nixie]

I let them go yesterday afternoon in the compost pile when the temperatures were a little better. Outside, later that evening, hubby came to me with his hands cupped together, saying, "Look what I found!". I said, "Whatever it is, put it back now!". Thankfully, it was just one of the kids' missing toys. He brought a snapping turtle home from work a few weeks ago and wanted to keep it, too. Needless to say, we didn't.