What to do when one frogs body parts end up in another frogs mouth...(it all turned out ok)

[UncleChester]

Things got a little confused during feeding time tonight. Fatty, adult female gray treefrog, had nabbed a cricket from behind and was working on swallowing it. It was still alive and maybe 1/2 of the way hanging out of her mouth when Waldo, adult male gray treefrog who is a little bit (but not much) smaller than Fatty, decided this struggling cricket would be a good prey item. I mean it was upside down and rather helpless looking so I don't blame him.

At the moment he struck, Fatty decided to help the cricket down her gullet with her hand. Waldo, whose aim is normally impeccable, ended up with a mouthful of hand, and had Fattys hand in his mouth nearly up to the wrist. At this point I was somewhat concerned and opened the cage and put two fingers on Waldos shoulders and gently pulled him back. Happily he released her hand and everyone seems ok.

So... does this sort of thing happen often and would it likely have sorted itself out if I hadn't intervened? It looked like an honest mistake by Waldo, but I'm not sure he would have stopped trying to swallow on his own, and this seems like it might have been bad for Fattys hand/arm (he surely couldn't get much more in). I know multitudes of people feed groups of frogs together everyday, so many body parts must end up in mouths they don't belong. I've just never seen it happen, so give me some reassurance!

[bshmerlie]

I think its good that you interveined. There is a youtube video call "Priscilla rips Elvis arm off" about one frog trying to swollow the other's arm. Elvis is obviously injured in the process as he limps afterwards and the owner just laughes and doesn't care. Sad really.

[Jace]

I can't speak for all species of frogs, but I group feed my Fire belly toads, and occassionally a limb will be mistaken for grub in the feeding frenzy. Though I watch all feeding sessions, I have yet to have to intervene and none of my toads have gotten hurt. I don't know if maybe they taste bad to each other because usually the foot or front limb gets spit out rather quickly. Grey tree frogs might be different, so it is probably a good thing you helped Waldo release his unintended snack.

[LittleDuudeIsAGirl]

I think its good that you interveined. There is a youtube video call "Priscilla rips Elvis arm off" about one frog trying to swollow the other's arm. Elvis is obviously injured in the process as he limps afterwards and the owner just laughes and doesn't care. Sad really.

i was watching vids on youtube and i could never bring myself to watch that one): i hate it when people put up videos of animals hurting each other..it makes me sick to my stomach..and very angry..who ever is their owner...is not a very good one. ):

[charlamanda]

I think its good that you interveined. There is a youtube video call "Priscilla rips Elvis arm off" about one frog trying to swollow the other's arm. Elvis is obviously injured in the process as he limps afterwards and the owner just laughes and doesn't care. Sad really.

I found this video and watched it several times, you'll be happy to know Priscilla actually doesn't rip Elvis's arm off, but boy was she trying...what a relief!!!
I too was concerned with the possibility that one of my Gray Tree froglets may accidentally grab and ingest one of the smaller froglets. Last night I let one of the smaller guys go after his "farewell" dinner. I now have 8 plus baby who is in a seperate tank. Most of them are about 1"+ and there are 3 that are just under an inch. I noticed that 3 of the smaller ones, although eating the crickets, flee to the top of the "dining room" container ASAP. There doesn't seem to be any fighting, etc., but they do seem to be intimimated by the larger froglets. To keep things civil and orderly and am releasing the smaller ones that aren't adjusting well enough or seem to be not eating enough with the group. When these guys flee to the top I take them out and put them in the fruit fly container for smaller prey and boy do they eat!
I don't think they are strong enought to actually rip anothers appentage off, but I may be wrong. I've watch them bouncing and climbing in thier "home" and they can really stretch those legs with seemingly no permanant damage, I don't see the harm of redirecting their interest when it's not where it should be and probably the safest choice. I wouldn't want to find out if I am right or wrong.

[UncleChester]

I think its good that you interveined. There is a youtube video call "Priscilla rips Elvis arm off" about one frog trying to swollow the other's arm. Elvis is obviously injured in the process as he limps afterwards and the owner just laughes and doesn't care. Sad really.

That sounds horrible. Sometimes I'm glad to be on dial-up so I can't subject myself to the horrible side of youtube.

I can't speak for all species of frogs, but I group feed my Fire belly toads, and occassionally a limb will be mistaken for grub in the feeding frenzy. Though I watch all feeding sessions, I have yet to have to intervene and none of my toads have gotten hurt. I don't know if maybe they taste bad to each other because usually the foot or front limb gets spit out rather quickly. Grey tree frogs might be different, so it is probably a good thing you helped Waldo release his unintended snack.

I imagine he would have given up, but who knows? Treefrogs fingers look so very delicate... You have a whack of fire-bellies, I'd bet a video of their feeding time would be worth waiting for even on dial-up...

[Jace]

It can be quite amusing. They are shoving crickets into their mouths, climbing and jumping on each other and seeing if they are part mountain goat climbing up the side of the feeding bucket, all the while the males are usually still barking and at least one has not even let go of the female he was clasping when they were scooped up in the first place. What can I say? I'm raising a bunch of horny toads!! Maybe next time I feed them I'll try and capture it....organized chaos!!