Hello from Milford, Pa

[charlamanda]

Over the past few months I have had grey tree frogs chorusing in my 18' pool which has been unopened and laying on the ground with several inches of water in it for the past 3 yrs. About 2 months ago I found thousands of tads swimming around and now most of them have left the pool and are taking over my yard. They are soooo adorable and I routinely move them around to safer areas (places where they won't be stepped on). They have found my front door exceptionally pleasant due to the light attracting so many bugs. It is wonderful watching them through the windows above and along side the door chasing after and eating the variety of insects. They are still fairly small, between 1/2" and almost 1" but are growing fast, especially the ones feeding around the front door. I have an empty 33 gal flatback octagon tank and am seriously considering taking in several as pets, but with so many I am torn which ones to choose. Do I catch the biggest and healthiest or do I take in the smaller ones. The larger and healthier may fair better in the wild having the advantage, where as the smaller and few deformed are still healthy but may survive only if I do take them in. Any suggestions?
I also have several more permanent frogs in my pool, 6 Green frogs and a couple pickeral. Will the green frogs that vary between 1 1/2"- 3"- 4" and the pickeral both about 1 1/2-2" eat the froglets that are still in the pool? There is also an adult female grey tree frog that is at the light every night with the froglets, will she eat them too?

[John]

Welcome to the forum. Regarding the deformed ones - I wouldn't take them in if I were you - as you rightly observed, they may not survive and this is according to nature. The small but normal looking ones might be worth holding on to if you like. There are details in our care article on Gray Tree Frogs (linked on every page) on how to raise them.

Those frogs will indeed consider eating froglets. The adult female gray tree frog will consider eating them too. But the froglets will not hang around the pond once they metamorphose - they will leave as soon as it rains and not come back until they are old enough to breed.

[Paul Rust]

Welcome aboard! Your front porch sounds awesome. I would recommend against taking in the deformed ones as well. They will likely need more care and attention and will break your heart if they don't make it. Keep some healthy ones for a while and enjoy the experience.

[Ebony]

Hi there and welcome to the forum. In what way are the frogs deformed?

[charlamanda]

Hi, There are only very few w/deformaties and fairly mild. most have one underdeveloped back leg but still can hop effectively. If I find them I will post a pic. Thanks again Charl

[charlamanda]

I ve read the article and have a question in reference to the female being silent. I have been observing the grey's n my pool for a few years now and have even wittnessed mating. I could swear
i've seen and heard her call. I can chirp like them and they will answer me. The pair sat on my fence after leaving the pool. I was less than 1' away and the larger of the two answered my call. Can there be exceptions? And why do they make another type of call when they are in close proximity to another frog?

[Kurt]

Welcome aboard.