Dark Green Frog

[josephz]

My red eyed tree frog who was a bright green suddenly turned dark green/brown. What is causing this, and what should I do about it?

It won't let me upload my image for some reason.

EDIT: Only a few minutes later and he's back to his nice light green. I sprayed down his enclosure before he turned back, though, does it have something to do with humidity?

[MichielB]

It could have to do with temperature. Many frogs turn a darker shade when they're (too) cold, although it could also be a sign of disease, diminished well-being or a change in emotional state.

Since it turned back to its original colour in minutes temperature seems to be the most likely cause.

[josephz]

Yeah, I think so. I turn off his night time bulb for a few minutes in the morning so that I can turn on his daytime one, but that dark period in between is when he wakes up. I guess it's from the changing temperature, and it usually gets better in a bit. Also, what emotions can this show?

[elly]

I'm not sure this shows any emotion, though admittedly I only have experience with a different species of tree frog.
I've abandoned all my previous ideas about what causes color change- though sometimes it can be in response to cold or darkness, most of the time it seems completely random.
Red-eyes, since they're a completely different species, might have more significance to their color changing though.

[MichielB]

I'm not sure this shows any emotion

Personally, I agree. Although in some animals a discolouration could be caused by aggression.

I've abandoned all my previous ideas about what causes color change- though sometimes it can be in response to cold or darkness, most of the time it seems completely random.

Sometimes I have no explanation for a colour change, with the WTF's I've worked with at work it happened during cleaning the tank (and thus removing the frogs) or watering the plants (increasing the humidity). I've got no specific experience with Red-eyes either.

[jasonm96]

In my experience change in colour has been from stress. Could be temps aren't warm enough too; if they turn a darker colour they could absorb heat more effectively.