Hi there

I am really hoping you guys are going to be able to help me and please give me some advice.

I have 4 Whites Tree Frogs (Dumpies), 3 males 1 female. I cycled 2 of the males and the 1 female and had them out of hibernation for 5 weeks before I moved them into the rain chamber. The newest and youngest/smallest of the males I received towards the end of winter so it was too late to cycle him, so I kept him isolated for 2 months before introducing him to the colony.

Now I have had the colony in the rain chamber for 4 days (today is the 5th), and the first 2 days they were calling like crazy. We then had a cold snap and they stopped calling, but last night warmed up and I played a looped tape of mixed Dumpy calls and the youngest and smallest of the colony went crazy and started to try mount everyone. Eventually he was in amplexus with the female and I left them alone for 2 hours, over this time the calling stopped. After 2 hours they started calling again but they were no longer in amplexus.

I have been trying to see the females sides to see if I can spot eggs, but I don't want to disturb her or upset her. What advice can you give me to increase the chances? Is this normal to be in amplexus for such a short period?

It is really important for me to get them to breed, as nobody is breeding them in South Africa, a few were brought in a few years ago, and then they were banned for import so only a handful are left in the country. Its a responsibility for me to breed them.

Please any help will be appreciated.

Regards
Darryn