Thermometer or foe?

[LeClownBlanc]

Recently I placed a thermometer in my holding tank for my froglettes/juvenile frogs, which has caused much bewilderment for them .
I find them often at times staring somewhat perplexed at the foreign object and even swimming up to it, darting right at the base in some kind of attack.
They also at times attempt to bite it, is this behavior normal or going to cause any future harm in some way? ( I know their bites are weak but just to be safe . . .)

I know this problem sounds a little whimsical, but I just want to make sure that my frogs aren't subjected to possible mercury poisoning( or what ever may be in the thermometer), or perhaps distressed by the new strange "threat" in their home.

[mpmistr]

Recently I placed a thermometer in my holding tank for my froglettes/juvenile frogs, which has caused much bewilderment for them .
I find them often at times staring somewhat perplexed at the foreign object and even swimming up to it, darting right at the base in some kind of attack.
They also at times attempt to bite it, is this behavior normal or going to cause any future harm in some way? ( I know their bites are weak but just to be safe . . .)

I know this problem sounds a little whimsical, but I just want to make sure that my frogs aren't subjected to possible mercury poisoning( or what ever may be in the thermometer), or perhaps distressed by the new strange "threat" in their home.

I don't think many if any aquatic thermometers use mercury still. For some reason my frogs can't seem to leave the damn things alone either, I always find them floating in the tank when I sure would like them to stay suctioned to the side of the tank.. try to get the ones held on with magnets rather than suction cups.

[Mentat]

A stick-on thermometer will solve your problem since they are outside the tank . Get the ones that can be reused; otherwise they are a pain to remove since they break when you try to.

[tgampper]

This is one reason why I love keeping these frogs, they are always up-to-something funny or strange

You have to understand that these frogs have very poor vision and since their eyes are on the top of their head they see only what is above them (in the wild, birds are their primary predator). If you notice the stitching on their back, this is a lateral line system similar to what fish have to detect wave motion. My theory is as the thermometer moves it creates a wave pattern similar to that of a large worm. Obviously, frogs love worms

[carsona246]

I've had a thermometer break in half while submerged and although I did an immediate waterchange when I identified it I did not see any negative signs of health in my fish. I think I might have to agree with Michael

[LeClownBlanc]

How strange. The girl at the store recommended against the magnetic ones because they eventually lose power and slide down.

[LeClownBlanc]

This is one reason why I love keeping these frogs, they are always up-to-something funny or strange

You have to understand that these frogs have very poor vision and since their eyes are on the top of their head they see only what is above them (in the wild, birds are their primary predator). If you notice the stitching on their back, this is a lateral line system similar to what fish have to detect wave motion. My theory is as the thermometer moves it creates a wave pattern similar to that of a large worm. Obviously, frogs love worms

Yes, I enjoy watching ours press against the glass or be in some other strange position.
Right now they are not too old, do you think it might be appropriate to start giving them worms as treats?

[LeClownBlanc]

A stick-on thermometer will solve your problem since they are outside the tank . Get the ones that can be reused; otherwise they are a pain to remove since they break when you try to.

Will the air temperature around it effect the thermometer's readings? I have a very temperamental heater that likes to occasionally blast us with a huge heat wave.