Desert setup

[Tropicok]

After looking at a Vivarium website my little obsessive mind is stuck on a desert setup. I doubt that any frog would be appropriate but there are rivers running through deserts in the Southwest (San Juan, Rio Grande etc.) Since I spent some time in Colo. and hiked the Mesa Verde Park I imagine a setup with a cliff dwelling background but simpler. I have never tried Quikrite and foam but this seems the best option. One thing I learned from using GreatStuff and silicone....wear disposable gloves. Any suggestions, folks?

[Paul Rust]

Hello, here are few species that live in desert climates. All of these are listed as LC - (Least Concern) by IUCN however, they may be protected within their range. Make sure that whatever species you decide on is legal to obtain.

Scaphiopus couchii - Couch's Spadefoot Toad
Hyla arenicolor - Canyon Treefrog
Pseudacris maculata - Boreal Chorus Frog

[John]

Sonoran Desert Toad/Colorado River toad (Bufo alvarius) is a desert species. Mine actually bask under the spot lamp regularly. Bufo woodhousii australis is also a desert species. Bufo cognatus is found in desert areas sometimes too.

[Skulldroog]

Sonoran Desert Toad/Colorado River toad (Bufo alvarius) is a desert species. Mine actually bask under the spot lamp regularly. Bufo woodhousii australis is also a desert species. Bufo cognatus is found in desert areas sometimes too.

Great response. I saw photos of your river toad. Looks like a beast.

[John]

Great response. I saw photos of your river toad. Looks like a beast.

Actually I just have the juveniles - they are offspring of the adults in the photos.

[Skulldroog]

Actually I just have the juveniles - they are offspring of the adults in the photos.

Very nice. I was thinking about expanding my small collection of frogs, but I should wait until my dumpys are a little older/larger and more relaxed.

[Tropicok]

Thanks for the reply. Now for the research.

[Tom Highum]

I am temped to get a Canyon Tree Frog and do a small desert stream with a minimal amount of water trickling through. They are pretty but I have yet to see one for sale.

[John]

I am temped to get a Canyon Tree Frog and do a small desert stream with a minimal amount of water trickling through. They are pretty but I have yet to see one for sale.

That's because they are protected.

Actually I take that back - I don't know that with certainty.

[Tom Highum]

I have tried to figure it out and they are listed LC but i am not certain.

[John]

LC doesn't mean anything as far as availability in the US goes - it's simply the IUCN's evaluation of the species as a whole. The only place I've ever seen Hyla arenicolor is in a zoo - never on a wholesale list.

[Tom Highum]

hmm where should I go to look up more about their legality?

[Tom Highum]

What do you think their required humidity would be? Nvm im hijacking this thread. Ill make my own