Well ****...

[irThumper]

After making up my mind to get Gray tree frogs, and being all excited about it, I find they aren't even legal to sell or own here... and yet I was told the Cuban tree frogs (the ones who eat EVERYTHING, including other frogs) are!? Apparently even Bombina orientalis isn't allowed here now, I used to have those guys in the 90's! American green tree frogs aren't allowed here either. This really sucks, *sigh*. I do love the WTF's, and I can get those, I'm just not sure I'm ready for the big boys (big girls, really, since they are even bigger). Now I'm depressed, I'm going to miss my little guys...

(My title was supposed to be Well "C.r.a.p"... I still don't understand why that is a banned word...??)

[ColleenT]

i'm really sorry, yes native species are illegal to trade. i have 2 Gray tree frogs i raised from a tadpole. in the spring time, often a gray tree frog will lay her eggs in a pool cover- if you know anyone with a pool, you can ask them if they ever get frog eggs or tadpoles in their pool cover- if so, they are probably Gray tree frogs. if you can find some, you can raise them the way i did. otherwise there are some cute small type tree frogs in the hobby.

[irThumper]

The thing is they aren't native to Oregon, and the state doesn't want them here because they say they are a threat to our native species... I already found out about not being able to keep our Pacific tree frogs as pets, but I was so looking forward to getting the Grays to keep in their place. So much for that, *sigh* Well, I still have Whites as an option, I just want to make very very VERY sure I am ready for them.

[ColleenT]

oh ok. sorry. take a look into some other types. clown tree frogs are adorable.

[irThumper]

Are they hardy and take to (albeit minimal) handling? I want to be careful about getting a species that is difficult to keep or really flighty. (They are adorable though!)

[ColleenT]

i don't have room for any more, so no, i don't have any, but i always thought they would be great to have. not sure on specifics, i'm sure you could find out easily enough. no frog likes being handled.

[UncleChester]

Hyla gratiosa doesn't appear on Oregon's prohibited list (I'm looking here: Oregon Secretary of State Archives Division). I don't know how common they are in the pet trade in the states, but I've seen them a few times up here and their temperment/care seems similar to Grays (though larger and less cold tolerant). They'd most likely be wild caught though.

Maybe I have the wrong list above, but Cubans appear to be prohibited (for good reason).

[irThumper]

Those are the barking tree frogs right? What's the taxonomic name (is that the proper term?) for the Cuban tree frogs? I was told by a local pet store they can sell them, but I wouldn't want to risk any of those getting loose around here... they'd gobble up all the poor PTFs!

[UncleChester]

Those are the barking tree frogs right? What's the taxonomic name (is that the proper term?) for the Cuban tree frogs? I was told by a local pet store they can sell them, but I wouldn't want to risk any of those getting loose around here... they'd gobble up all the poor PTFs!

Yes, Hyla gratiosa are barking treefrogs. Cubans are Osteopilus septentrionalis. You might want to look more closely at you local fish and wildlife regulations than I have, that's just the document I found on google that seemed to fit. You might also want to contact local herpetology groups for more information, locals will be better acquainted with your states laws.

Pet store people don't always know what's what, and violations are often not noticed (here at least).

[irThumper]

I was given a PDF of the following:

OREGON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
1 – Div. 056
DIVISION 056
IMPORTATION, POSSESSION, CONFINEMENT, TRANSPORTATION AND
SALE OF NONNATIVE WILDLIFE

And it does say Cuban tree frogs are allowed... doesn't mention Barking tree frogs at all, but could they be a subspecies of a disallowed frog?

[irThumper]

I just checked and "Barkies" are their own species and not a sub of another, according to Wikipedia, so if they aren't on the list they might be an option! The stores here don't get them though, apparently, or they didn't mention those were available options at least... they mentioned Red Eyeds, Peacock, and Clown TFs, as well as the hungry monster Cuban TFs!

[UncleChester]

I was given a PDF of the following:

OREGON ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE
1 – Div. 056
DIVISION 056
IMPORTATION, POSSESSION, CONFINEMENT, TRANSPORTATION AND
SALE OF NONNATIVE WILDLIFE

And it does say Cuban tree frogs are allowed... doesn't mention Barking tree frogs at all, but could they be a subspecies of a disallowed frog?

Looks like the same document. You're right about the Cubans, my mistake. I had scrolled down and missed that I'd changed sections. You can also apparently have Cane Toads, cuz those have never endangered native wildlife anywhere. No sir.

[irThumper]

I just listened to the call of the Barking tree frog... they should have called them the "Water Drum tree frog", because that's what they sound like to me, lol (Listen to Native American water drums on YouTube).

[Frogman1031]

Wow i don't understand that at all... Isn't it convenient that most of the "allowed" frogs are almost never sold into captivity? It's illegal in my county to sell white's tree frogs specifically but not to own them. Thank god for Connecticut being there to support me. And they banned every frog expect the rare, expensive, or HUGE in your state. Notice this is a tactic used to deter people from buying frogs. Too hard to find too expensive or just plain too big

[irThumper]

It's ridiculous really... and I can't even begin to explain how, under their own rules, they even allow Cuban tree frogs and Cane toads here...! *SMH*.

[ColleenT]

that is so bizarre. i am sorry about that. There are a few cuties on the approved list, tho. i hope you can find something you like. are there any reptile shows near you? that might be the best way to find something you like.

[irThumper]

We actually just missed the big reptile show this year (go figure, huh?) but I talked to someone from a very awesome small pet store three towns away from us and they regularly carry captive bred baby WTFs. I really love little TFs, but after finding out White's can live to 20 years (longer than a dog!) I'm becoming more convinced that I'm going to go Aussie!

[DigitalPunk]

Most frogs if properly cared fro can live 10 - 20 years

Hope you are able to get the frogs you are looking for!