Estivation?

[Khal]

As you all know it is currently winter time, and with that comes the cold weather. I am worried about my pixie frog because of this weather, I have heard of estivation but I do not know much about it. How can I tell if my pixie is estivating or if he is dead?

[DanDrobates]

Estivation in pixies is typically brought on by hotter weather and a dryer environment. It’s a natural process where the frog encases itself in a mucous membrane and it’s body goes into torpor. In the wild it happens during the dry season and the frogs emerge with heavy rains. It can happen in captivity but for the health of the frog it is best avoided as it can take a toll on the frogs body reserves. If your frog looks like it’s burrowing and encasing itself keep the substrate moister then usual. Provide a day/night cycle and maintain temperatures from mid seventies to low eighties.

[Khal]

So if my pixie is hard and unresponsive, he’s dead?

[DanDrobates]

Dead frogs generally don’t respond and go limp. If it’s completely unresponsive I’d say odds are it has gone to frog heaven. Even during estivation they will occasionally move a bit,

[Khal]

He’s not limp, he’s solid and there’s like a crinkly noise when I touch him...probably means the same thing though

[Lija]

You should never let a frog aestivate, unless you know what you are doing and prepare him accordingly. You should monitor humidity and temps and keep them where they need to be throuout the year. They do sleep, but is not actual aestivation.
i suggest you make sure your husbandry of correct, as for frog - place him in a warm water bath, not too deep, just enough for him to sit with so the head is not submerged. He should perk out.