I think my frog is shedding, but he isn't get it off!

[aegillesp]

I noticed a couple of days ago that my frog has some stringy stuff all over her, arms, back and sides, and I've been able to wipe it off but there is some stuck on her and It almost looks like a scab. I've watched the videos of a frog shedding, but mine isn't doing that. She's been pooping normally, solids, I hand feed her so I know she is eating, usually 1 mealworm and 4-5 crickets a day. I did a calcium covered meal a day or so ago and she seemed more active. The humidity has gotten lower than what I like, sometimes when I get home from work (9 hour shifts) the tank is at 40% so I covered the top with shrink-wrap other than where the light is since I read that on another forum. She chases after her food, but I'm worried about her... Any advice on how to help her would be very much appreciated!

[aegillesp]

Here is a closer picture of her. I do spray her with water when I spray her tank, I don't think she minds but I'm not sure what to do...

[Heatheranne]

You can very gently mist her with a lukewarm dechlorinated water mist or give her a little lukewarm soak. This will help to soften the shedding skin. How is the humidity since you added the Saran wrap?

[aegillesp]

After I put the wrap on the top, the bottom will stay around 80-90% humdity, while the top half will stay around 60-70%, so I'm not quite sure about the big difference. How would I give my frog a soak without drowning her?

[Heatheranne]

See if you can check the humidity at the level in the tank she is at most, likely tree level. Check about a half hour after misting because the humidity will rise and then level out.

Place her in a shallow water dish with the water no deeper than her upper belly or chin level. So long as its deep enough to just sit in, it will help.

If she won't sit in the dish, you can use a small plastic container or critter keeper with a lid with air holes and just fill the bottom about a 1/4 inch. If she's too stressed, you can put the container right into her home or put it in a dim area.

By keeping the humidity up, she should be able to pull the skin off and prevent further problems. The soak will help soften the hard, dry, scabby shed.

[aegillesp]

I do find her in the mornings sitting on the edge of her water dish but only the bottom half. I have watched the upper level where she sits against the glass during the day and it stays around 60-70%. I may try to give her a bath tonight. I try to pick her during feeding time so she gets used to me but only a few seconds. She doesn't run when I put her down but do you think it's stressing her out? I use my fingers to give her mealworms and she's nipped at me a few times hoping I have one so I don't think I scare her...

[Heatheranne]

They tend to get used to us. We can easily stress them out, but minimizing the holding of the frog helps. Allowing them to hop onto us vs us picking them up also helps.

It is okay if they only soak their butts, shall we say. They are still absorbing fluid.

Be careful with mealworms and only use them as an occasional snack. The chitin in their shells can cause impaction.

I think she'll be fine. Just give the tank a little extra misting for a couple days to allow the scabby skin to soften.

[aegillesp]

I will try that. I usually mist her a bit while I do the tank. I haven't seen any problems and I usually see the shells in her poop. What other insects can I give her? I give her wax worms once a week and I'll do the mealworm plus 4-5 crickets a day but I'll hold back on the daily mealworms. I heard there are some flightless flies? I just like to give her a variety. I'll keep an eye on her scabby looking skin and let you know if it looks worse.

[Heatheranne]

Crickets are fine and you could try cut up earthworms to the proper size. Be sure the worm do not have any added dyes or scents (as for use as fishing bait), if you decide to use them.

Sounds good. Hopefully the skin will come off soon for her. Don't worry though, it's not going to hurt her unless it's stuck there for quite some time or unless its pinching something. It's just more of an annoyance for her.