Catching their Food?

[firefly]

Hi there

I've had 3 FBTs for 2 weeks now & feel a bit frustrated .

I seem to have the same sort of problem as some of the other members, namely the toads seeing / catching their food . It either ends up drowned, buried or sitting at the top of the tank.

My set-up is a large rectangular bowl with water & live plants in, surrounded by Eco-Earth topped with moss & a hide. The frogs stay in the water nearly all the time.

I tried the tweezer method but they either ignore me completely or dart away & hide under the rocks in the bowl.

Please - Do you have any advice / tips please on what I could do ????

[hyla]

I know frogs need to feel very secure before accepting food from tweezers/forceps. I would say they will catch their food if they are hungry enough and provided there isnt an underlying problem like an illness. Keep track of how many insects you are feeding them each time. That way you will know if any have been consumed or not for sure. I use the fifteen min rule that is usually referred to on here. That eliminates leaving the food in the enclosure as crickets and such are dirty, nasty little germ spreaders. You could also try putting your frogs in a separate smaller container to feed them. Good luck!

[firefly]

Thnkyou Hyla. Yes I don't really like crickets much, one of my little toads has toes missing from his hind foot and the petshop keeper suggested it could well be that crickets have eaten them (turns my stomach). The crickets I have are very small (2-3 instar?) but they give me the heeby jeebys. I think I'll stick to hoppers, much nicer.

Wouldn't placing them in a seperate container freak them out? It would be easier to do this if it would work.

[hyla]

Your welcome. As for the freaking out part I guess it would depend on the frog itself. I tried that with mine a few times but she just ignored the food and tried climbing out. I know others on here do it that way and it works for them. It wouldnt hurt to try!

[John]

Just thinking about this, are you sure the crickets are small enough for the toads? Is it warm enough to simulate their appetites? (these toads like it warmish)

[Crystal6]

Hi there

I've had 3 FBTs for 2 weeks now & feel a bit frustrated .

I seem to have the same sort of problem as some of the other members, namely the toads seeing / catching their food . It either ends up drowned, buried or sitting at the top of the tank.

In my old tank I used to drops crickets into it just to watch what they would do. It was a half and half so I figured they would immediately drown but, much to my amazement, they didn't. Instead they would walk onto across the dirt towards the water half and, when their antenna touched the water they would back away. I think that unless there is a major elevation difference or the crickets are extremely terrified they won't drown.

But I have heard of people who's crickets can drown very very easily but who can remedy the situation via "cricket ladder" so they can climb out of the water should they be stupid enough to get in there in the first place.

(I think it was Kurt who mentioned a cricket ladder.)

As for them seeing the food, do you have a lot of hiding places for crickets in your enclosure? (Such as egg crates?) My enclosure just had grass and the frog found them just fine. (not recommended as your frog can swallow the grass)

[JeffX]

I always have a few that drown. I seem to have more of an issue with that with my tomatoes though.

I've never had any issues with feeding my FBTs. They are greedy little toads in my experience. You could try using some waxworms to help get them to eat. I wouldn't use them for more than a snack. Also I'd check the temperature and the humidity as well.

[firefly]

Thanks for that peeps. Could I just ask - I'm a bit worried and confused about the heat thing as on other forums they say that room temp are enough for these frogs, as they like it on the cool side rather than warm ?? I need to know exactly what they need for real (I don't want them to suffer) - so please advise. Many thx

[JeffX]

Thanks for that peeps. Could I just ask - I'm a bit worried and confused about the heat thing as on other forums they say that room temp are enough for these frogs, as they like it on the cool side rather than warm ?? I need to know exactly what they need for real (I don't want them to suffer) - so please advise. Many thx

I keep mine at room temperature, but room temperature for me is 75 degrees Fahrenheit. I have known of people keeping them in the lower 80s though.

[Kurt]

Bombina orientalis is a temperate zone animal so keep it accordingly. Mid 70's is fine.