Yesterday, after being outside for a few minutes after waking up, I went inside to sit on the couch and noticed both of my cats, which are both strays, were by the frog tank and seemed very occupied. I went over to see what had them so intrigued and found Tiger gently pawing at one of my larger Gray Tree froglets which was snuggled up next to the tank in a niche. I immediately went into panic mode and since there are 10 in the tank knew this may not end well. I got the froglet back in the tank and looked for where he/she had escaped from. I duck taped a few areas I suspected could be the port and looked around for more. I found 3 more nestled up around the same area and 1 was stuck to the back of the tank stand. I had to wrestle Tiger and Miss Kitty, whom repeatedly jumped up to the area I had just removed the escapees and them. The cats were surprisingly strong and determined to find the frogs they found so intriguing, it wasn't easy keeping them out of the way. I took all the froglets out of the tank and put them into the "dining room" container for a head count, all were accounted for, thank god! I collected all the crickets I had left and gave them to the froglets for their harrowing experience, since it was dinner day and I was going to the pet store to buy more and the cricket container had to be clean prior to getting them.
While I had them out of the tank I removed the hood to thoroughly inspected it for holes and boy was there. Sine the hood was made for a fish tank 70% of the back 3 inches are open allowing for the tubes and cords, (for the filter, air pump and heater) which I had to froggy proof, obviously not my best attempt. I had an old screen I cut to size and attached via duck tape, due to the constant humidity and moving the hood, to remove the frogs and tank cleaning, the tape separated from the screen, in 2 places, and left gaping 3 inch holes, that were hidden behind the light. Given the size of the openings I am really surprised more didn't escape and I think the cats kept them from exploring the living room any farther than the adjacent table. Luckily the cats were more interested than hungry and since it was daytime the lack of movement, on the froglets part, may have been what saved them. Cats seem to be more interested and playfully aggressive with things that move more, the lack of movement and the fact that they nestled up may have spared them the cats full attack, VERY SCAREY!!!!
Since I had to do the monthly shopping at Walmart, I found a screen like material, tooling, that will be less rigid and will adhere better to the tape. I did temporarily fix the holes, but need to do a more permanent fix with the better material. I am also planning on using this same material on Baby's tank too. It will allow for better ventilation, since I will need to remove them from the window soon because of the colder weather, and will, hopefully, keep in the fruit flies, I always have available in their tank.
Since the escape, Tiger, the cat who was pawing the froglets, will not stop "checking out" the tank and I am afraid he will jump on top of the tank and open the back again. I have a barricade on the side he can jump onto the hood from and we are spritzing him when he gets close to the tank. I am so paranoid now that there will be another escape attempt I am checking one them constantly and, in dark areas, think I see something hopping, I am loosing my mind!!LOL
I was really lucky this time, but I never want this to ever happen again, my nerves can't take the stress!!!!