My darling tree frog???

[Kathryntheclean]

I can't tell why my sweet new little big eyed tree frog won't eat. I got her Saturday at a Reptile expo from a gentleman who said she'd eat crickets, but not a single cricket has been eaten. She's tiny, I call her Pixie, and I don't want her to die!! I've owned fire bellies and White's tree frogs before, but never the tree frogs from Tanzanaia, which she is! What can I do????

[Herpin Man]

Try other foods, such as fruit flies or bean beetles. Make sure your temperatures and humidity are appropriate for this species- and leave it alone for a while. No handling.

[Kathryntheclean]

Thank you!!!! Bless you!!! I'll try this!

[Kathryntheclean]

I've tried mealworms, crickets, and little fruit flies... Not a one has been eaten. I don't handle little Pixie at all. The temp is always at 70 and above that during the day.. humidity is perfect. I tried to find a dead body tonight, thinking surely she couldn't have gone so long without food, but she's still alive.... What else can I do to help her eat?

[DanDrobates]

I hate to say this but sometimes you wil get a dud. It’s happened to me a few times and I’ve owned many frogs over the years. Perfectly healthy frogs will go off feed and or fail to thrive for unknown reasons after aquisition despite all of the keepers efforts. Can you describe the enclosure in detail? Are you providing a day/night cycle? Is your frog active after dark? What kind of lighting are you using? Can you get the temperature up to mid or high seventies? There is also the possibility that this individual was wild caught and then there’s a greater risk of failure to thrive due to the stress of importation.

[Kathryntheclean]

So, Eco Earth on the bottom, some sphagnum moss on top of that. A hide in the cool area, branch for vertical climbing. Food, water dishes, kept clean. Working thermostat/humidity control. Background of the Styrofoam that comes in kits. A big vertical zilla tank.... I gave her fresh mealworms last night and she looked interested then just burrowed into the soil without eating.... And, I forgot to mention the 25 watt bulb for day heat, and the rooms always at 70 anyway.....

[DanDrobates]

Try this, get a deli cup (16oz size) and stick a few very small crickets in the cup after lights out. This way they won’t disappear in the terrarium. Try observing the frog once the lights are out and see if it’s intetested. Hopefully it will eat. I’d avoid mealworms.

[Kathryntheclean]

I will try, thank you so much!!!

[Kathryntheclean]

Pixie had to be dug out of her Earth today, as I thought she was dead.... She's somehow still alive.... Can someone maybe tell me what kind she is exactly, and maybe a friend would be helpful, but I'd get the same species...

[bwwwww]

https://www.reptileforums.co.uk/foru...frog-care.html

Assuming this is indeed a Tanzanian tree frog. Do you have a thermometer in the tank? Seems that they do dig in the soil. She doesn't look too undernourished. I think she will acclimatize in time. I fear that if she is sick she may transfer it to any friend you give her so maybe wait on that.

[Kathryntheclean]

She still hasn't eaten that I can see. But is still alive!! Is that right, I mean, I'd expect her to die after 2 weeks of not eating!!? Maybe I'm missing her when she takes a tiny fly, or something... But, I didn't get a friend for her, so.... Now what??

[bwwwww]

She doesn't look too bad. Look up how to give a honey bath.

[Kathryntheclean]

I will, ASAP!

[Kathryntheclean]

So, upon some advice, I gave Pixie a honey bath. She came out to drink some water for the first time last night. I turned on the night lamp and there she was, sitting in her water dish. She's never come out before on her own. This is a small step, but in the right direction... Thank you everyone, for your advice!!

[Kathryntheclean]

And now, she's eating, although I don't see her do it, but I know she is. Food goes missing and she poops everywhere.