Chiromantis xerampelina

[KellyM]

I just acquired three of these guys. common name is Grey foam nested tree frog. I was mainly looking for housing advice. I've read that they are very adaptable but haven't really found anything specific about what they want. Was wondering if anybody had experience with these? I want to get their set up right before I bring them home.....

[tgampper]

Chiromantis xerampelina, a native of southern Africa belongs to a family of foam-nesting frogs known as Rhacophoridae. They are tree climbers, so a tall aquarium is a must. Make sure you have plenty of robust plants for them to climb on. They prefer lower humidity and higher temperatures than the average frog. You will need to establish a basking area with a 60 watt spot. Provide a small water dish and mist the terrarium daily in the evening, this should provide sufficient humidity. Other than that, the rest is easy. They are known locally as foam nest frog, grey tree frog, southern foam nest tree frog, or great African gray tree frog.

Some notes on natural history - this frog is a master of survival in the hot, dry African savanna. The frog conserves water by folding its legs in a way to minimize body exposure to the sun. It is also uricotelic, which means that it excretes uric acid, a way to concentrate wastes and conserve water. The frog is often seen basking in the sun where ambient temperatures may exceed 102 degrees (F). The frog's blood is able to carry oxygen at high temperatures. Males are not territorial and not aggressive towards each other. Males are smaller than females and have white nuptial pads on two fingers.

[KellyM]

That is excellent!
I figured being from afica they wouldnt be too hard to keep track of. The basking light I hadn't heard before though. Thanks so much!

[Richard co1]

Hi Kelly....
It's been a while now but how are your Chiromantis xerampelina getting on?
I have 1.0.0 Chiromantis xerampelina and have had him for a few years now.....
He came into the country accidentally in someones suitcase after an African holiday! He was then handed into my workplace....
I have been looking to try and find him a female but it's proving difficult to find this species for sale in the uk....
Well anyway hope your three are still well....
Richard

[KellyM]

They are doing very well thank you!
They have fat little sides and are very active.
I believe I have two males and one female.

Do you have a picture of yours by any chance?
There isn't too much info I've found on these guys out there, but they are great!
They've been some of my favorite frogs

[Richard co1]

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Hi Kelly.... Good I'm glad they are settled....
I do have pics but I'm new to this forum/pic uploading so will have to learn how first :0(
Will deff send you some of him and his housing when I'm up to speed.....
Have you observed any courtship/breeding behaviours?
Richard

[tgampper]

Hi Richard

Welcome to the forum It is really easy to post pictures on the forum. Click on "Post Reply", scroll down a little to "Attach Files", when you click on "Manage Attachments", you will be able to upload several different formats of photos either directly from your computer or from the web.

[tylototriton]

Very cool frog species! They often get passed over because they don't look shocking but, like Terry said, physiologically they are amazing.

[tgampper]

Hi Kelly:

Glad your frogs are doing well. Keep us updated on their progress and please post some pix when you get a chance.

[JSG]

Hi guys,
I'm fortunate enough to live with these guys outside in my garden! With us now moving into autumn they seem to disappear but you bet your bottom dollar, as soon as the first rains fall they will be out in hordes ready for breeding.
I'm actually contemplating getting a couple and starting a breeding project should there be a demand for them in the UK, US, Canada and Europe.

[Jacolette]

Good day, can someone please tell me. What kind of food do I need to feed these foam nest tree frogs. I have also one. Have no idea what to feed him or what to put in his tiridium (sorry for spelling)..... My father in law went away with his caravan to the coast. and when he arrived at home he find this little frog in his car. all the clever poeple say i must look after him until we go in that direction again. but until then i need to feed him and give him a home as well..... any advise please!!

[Mentat]

Good day, can someone please tell me. What kind of food do I need to feed these foam nest tree frogs. I have also one. Have no idea what to feed him or what to put in his tiridium (sorry for spelling)..... My father in law went away with his caravan to the coast. and when he arrived at home he find this little frog in his car. all the clever poeple say i must look after him until we go in that direction again. but until then i need to feed him and give him a home as well..... any advise please!!

Hello and welcome to FF Jacolette (pretty name) ! Post no. 2 has some info and there is more here: African Grey Treefrog (Chiromantis xerampelina).

They are tree frogs, so a diet on gut loaded crickets will work. Ensure they are smaller than distance between frog's eyes and fed carrots, lettuce, and cherios cereal 24-48 hours before feeding frogs. Also, if available there, can feed Dubia or similar roaches using same size guidelines. Need to supplement the food, more on that here: http://www.frogforum.net/food-feeder...schedules.html.

Feeding from a small glass bowl helps keep feeders in one place, monitor frog eats, and supplement dust from falling off. It takes some time for frogs to figure out to grab food from above; but once they do it's a done deal.

In the future, you will have better responses if you start a new thread versus piggybacking on an old one. Good luck and post pictures of frog when you can !