hibernation question

[Fergie14]

my Astralian green tree frog is burying itself in its bedding and has stopped eating does this mean its going into hibernation? and if so how can I get it out of hibernation,

[HerpetologyBarbie]

It's unusual for a tree frog to burrow down on the floor for brumation (mammals hibernate, reptiles/amphibians brumate), unless there is not sufficient plant cover up higher.

A few questions;

• Do you only have the one frog?
• How old is your frog?
• How much does it weigh and/or is it skinny or chubby?
• How long have you had your frog?
• How long has it been in it's current enclosure?
• What are your temperatures like in the enclosure?
• Do you provide a basking lamp or heat mat?
• Do you provide UV lighting?
• Have your ambient temperatures been dropping lately?
• How long has it been without food?

[Fergie14]

yesI do only have one frog, I don't know how old it is but I know that its not full grown yet, Its not particularly skinny or chubby, I've had my frog for 4 days, It's been in its current enclosure for 4 days, the temperature is in between 70F and 80F, I do provide a basking lamp, I do provide a UV light, My ambient temperatures have not been falling, It stopped eating and started burrowing 3 days ago

[HerpetologyBarbie]

Hello again,

GTF's very rarely dig and your situation doesn't sound like brumation. Young frogs will almost never brumate, even adult frogs in captivity virtually never brumate unless their keeper is specifically trying to trigger it. Rather the issue you are experiencing is more likely to be related to a few things such as illness, stress or your husbandry.

Does your frog have plenty of hiding spaces? If your frog is experiencing stress due to a lack of ability to properly hide itself in it's new enclosure, it may be driven to try and bury itself. This is especially seen when frogs are kept in a high traffic area in the house with few hiding spaces.

Does your frog have a bowl of water that they're able to properly submerse themselves in? If they're skin looking moist and sticky? Dehydration can cause frogs to go to ground to try and absorb the moisture in the soil. Misting can also help if your frog is too nervous to soak.

What are your temperatures like? If your frog is too hot, it may be going to ground to try and cool itself off.

Otherwise, if all of your husbandry is correct, you may wish to take them to the vet for some cultures to see if there is an underlying issue that is making your frog feel unwell.

Also, quick note: Is this the same frog that was showing the patches/spots of discolouration from your other thread? Is it still demonstrating these symptoms?

[Fergie14]

It is the same frog that had the patches of green but the patches of green have gone away. I think it might be burying itself in the ground because it does not have enough hiding places, what should I use as hiding spots, Thanks so much for the advice.

[jasonm96]

Make sure the UVB lighting is of the right percentage at the right distance for an example I would use a 5% above screen on a 24 tall. Then I would plant it to for cover and allow light gradients where the frog can adjust its exposure to the lighting. The reason I'm mentioning this is because if the frog is getting too much without enough cover it may go down to the bottom half as the UV output will be lower.

[Fergie14]

yes I do have a UVB light, And its Right on top of the screen but whenever I have it on, half the time my frog will just go up and get as close to it as possible but the other half the time it just stays burrowed.

[jasonm96]

It could be regulating it's exposure, taking what's needed and then getting away from it when it's had enough. If you plant it more heavily with real or artificial plants it may not need to use the height but instead the gradients of light and shade the cover offers. It could be that or it's not secure enough or not well. I would just add more stuff to your set up and see what happens

[jasonm96]

For hide I'd lean a slap of cork bark against the glass, use some branches or jungle vines and trail some hanging plants across them and use some broad leaf plants aswell. It's most likely stress as mentioned that's causing the burrowing so sort that out and should be fine.

[Fergie14]

Ok, Thanks for the advice, But why isn't she eating is that also stress related?

[jasonm96]

Yeah they usually go off food when they're stressed. If you have only had the frog for 4 days then it's pretty normal. It's only worrying when weeks go by. For now there's nothing to worry about, just make sure everything is set up right

[Fergie14]

Ok, Thanks so much, Also why isn't she eating is it also stress related

[Fergie14]

oops I accidentally posted the same comment twice

[irThumper]

You need to provide a temperature drop at night, my guys are at 77-79F in the day and 73-75F at night. What is your humidity? White's tree frogs like it right around 50%, mine have a range of 45% to 65%. Could be your frog is trying to shed as well and maybe stuck at it if the humidity is not enough or he can't submerge enough in the water dish. The should be able to sit with water up to their chin. You can provide a few stones for them to climb out on if you have a deeper dish.

[Fergie14]

I do provide a temperature drop at night my humidity is between 60 and 80 is that to much?

[jasonm96]

I do provide a temperature drop at night my humidity is between 60 and 80 is that to much?

Yes, irThumper's humidity is what you want

[Fergie14]

All right thanks, oh and by the way I put some new plants in with her and she's stooped burrowing and is now climbing around a lot she's also eating her food

[Fergie14]

Now she's pushing herself into a quarter inch crack in between the top of the textured backdrop and the top of the terrerium. What should I do

[jasonm96]

My tree frogs do that as well for extra security and perhaps to get closer to the heat from lighting. You could take the background out until the frog gets big enough to not be able to fit there and instead tape a piece of paper for security

[Fergie14]

Is a heat light or a UVB light more important because I have both bulbs but I only have one fixture that fits them both. I am currently using the UVB light should I be using the heat light instead?