Whistling tree frog eggs (Litoria ewingii) 18-8-10

[Ebony]

My Whistlers had been croaking up a storm in the last few weeks so I had been checking them every day for eggs and today was the day. Im very pleased to be able to take a reasonable photo for you to see.

I cant be certain but I assume this also is the proud mum. The last time the male & female were in amplex for a couple of days so this was very quick.

[pixiefrogman]

Impressive photos Ebony, hope to see tadpoles in the future!

[Ebony]

Thanks TJ.
I carefully took a small cluster of eggs by cutting a piece off the fake plant that they were attached to. I want to monitor their development and also take photo's to share. Last year they did not breed but laid eggs out of water which was very strange. The previous year I had great success with moving most of the eggs. But this year I will leave them where they are as I want to observe the adults behavior. The male is still calling now which I find unusual as they normally call in the evening and its lunch time here.

Here is a photo of the small cluster of eggs that I removed. I hope it's clear enough. My partner is bringing the good camera home from work so I will be able to get better clearer shots. Hopefully if i can work out how to use the thing. Lol

[Jace]

Congrats! I can't wait to see how they develop....now that I've had tadpoles, I get the excitement.

As for the male calling at lunch...they can't pass out cigars, so that's his way of announcing he's a new dad. Look at all the eggs-he should be!!

[Ebony]

Thanks Jace. Watching the eggs develop is almost as exciting as watching tadpole metamorphosis.

Lol...I think they would need a few cigars for all those babies. In fact I think they would run a mile. I think the male is more likely calling for the next female.

[John]

Congratulations Ebony , and very nice photos!

[Kurt]

Congratulations.

[Jace]

Guess there is no such thing as monogamy in the Whistling Tree frog world, is there?? How long until there will be little tadpoles? I am so excited for you!

[Ebony]

Thanks Kurt

Jace, The eggs should hatch in about 6 days. Time will tell though. I think it took a bit longer the last time. Im taking a photo of them each day.

[JimO]

Awesome! You'll be swimming in tads in a few weeks.

Edit: I missed the last few messages. You are swimming in tads. Congrats.

[Ebony]

Thanks Jim..I may end up with more eggs though..My male is still calling..one more female full of eggs to woo...Lol

[dlordoftheflies]

i've just got a few developing ewingi eggs at the moment and i've had a few baby tree frogs last year but i only kept them for a few weeks and i never saw them eat and i was wondering what do you feed your baby tree frog once they metamorph? i was thnking small flies?

[jtay]

i've just got a few developing ewingi eggs at the moment and i've had a few baby tree frogs last year but i only kept them for a few weeks and i never saw them eat and i was wondering what do you feed your baby tree frog once they metamorph? i was thnking small flies?

Hi dlordoftheflies,

Yes, small flies are ideal. More precisely fruitflies, Drosophila melanogaster. One can purchase the wingless variety in pupae form that readily hatch from a container within the frog enclosure. Alternatively you can culture your own Drosophila rather easily, although the wild type have wings.
Biosuppliers sells the ready-to-go containers, these can be ordered directly and couriered, or you can get them from a good pet store.
Mind that freshly morphed frogs generally don't eat for a while (a week or 2?) until they have absorbed and utilised the tail remnants. Once that is complete they will require a fairly constant/frequent supply of food.
Hope that helps.

Jess

[dlordoftheflies]

for anyone interested in finding out more information about raising litoria ewingi from egg, im putting together a similar daily log of my litoria ewingi eggs, http://www.frogforum.net/blogs/dlord...le-part-1.html
and heres a video of 2 week old ewingi tadpoles seem as ebony didnt end up uploading hers: