Hi everyone,
I have a problem with my red eyed tree frogs and their legs. I got 2 individuals (a male and female) last January (so 18 months ago) and had no problems with them up until the summer (maybe around July time) when I noticed that the male's right leg seemed somewhat bent. It was the bone closest to the body (maybe the femur?) and it seemed quite bent with the two halves being very independently mobile within his skin, but he was still able to use it, and happily jumped and landed with it, and he showed no other symptoms or loss of appetite. When he is asleep during the day, he doesnt hold the leg quite as tucked in to his body as the other, but does seem to have very good use of it overall. I did take him to see a vet, who diagnosed it as a broken bone, and said there wasn't much I could do, but that amphibians are generally very good healers, so just to monitor him, and maybe feed him from tongs if he was unable to hunt himself. I never had to do this, as like i said he was hunting as normal, and displaying all the normal behaviours. He has even made amplexus with my female since this time!
In October, I got another 2 individuals, both a fair bit younger, so I kept them separate for about 6 months, partly for quarantine, and partly as they were probably small enough to be eaten by my big female. They have been all together as a group of 4 for about 2 months now. However, today, I just had a good look at one of these younger frogs, and his leg appears to be in exactly the same condition as the first males! Again, he is hunting as normal, making and landing jumps as normal, and shows no lethargy or loss of appetite.
Has anyone else experienced anything like this? I am wondering if it is something other than a broken leg, seeing as it has happened to 2 of my frogs now, or if there is something I am doing wrong that is making their bones more brittle?
Just a bit of background, they are all housed in an exo terra terrarium 60x45x60 which is heavily planted with live plants and is sprayed with tap water treated with conditioner daily. There is a water area of treated water available at all times. Temperature is kept in the low 70s in the day, with a drop to the high 60s at night. They are all fed on size 3 crickets which are dusted with calcium and D3 every other day, and a multivitamin supplement once a week. They are all good feeders and are a good size. Both the males whos legs I am worried about call on a regular basis, and form amplexus when put in a rain chamber. There is no discolouration to the legs or any other part of the body on any of the frogs.
Any advice or ideas on what might be causing this and how to rectify it would be really appreciated!
Thanks