A Devastating Day for Pyxie Project: Warning Graphic Image

[Jeff Kennedy]

Yeah, not sure Malachi. They have all been kept the same way and P17 has been absolutely thriving. The only thing that we can think is that maybe it was the first time that he ever did it and he didn't know how to get it back in or whatnot. Beats the hell out of me. I am just floored man.

[Mordecai]

He measured at 2 1/2 in. on Oct 1. Today, he was exactly 4 in. He grew and inch and a half in 20 days! I just don't understand. He will be missed very much.

[Jeff Kennedy]

You hate to de-value any other living thing but it just leaves me baffled that it had to happen to such a (what appeared to be) healthy, strong, enormous example. We have others that aside from it throwing a hitch in our data, wouldn't have affected us near as much as this guy did. We swore to not bond or get attached to any of these guys until it was over and we decided which ones we were keeping but it's kind of hard not to when you interact with them as much as we do on a daily basis. This really sucks. He was one to watch out for. His head was absolutely massive.

[Kevin1]

The frog might of ate something toxic or inedible, any chance of that happening?

[Jeff Kennedy]

On our end absolutely not. The substrate is a 50/50 blend of co-co fiber and all natural top soil (no additives, etc.). All of our feeder insects are kept in sanitary bins that are cleaned every couple of days with a scrubbrush (no cleaners). If he ingested something toxic, it could have only came in the form of another insect that might have made it's way into his enclosure, i.e. a spider or ant, etc. This sucks. I've been in a fog since 5PM.

[Ebony]

Im so sorry to hear that Jeff... Im not sure how true this is but Ive heard that frogs can vomit up their stomach to empty out. Ive never seen or experienced this my self though. It would be worth finding out. I hope this is just a one off. Im glad the project will still go a head. Good luck.

[Jeff Kennedy]

Thanks Ebony. Yes, that is what we are finding out through research. That it can be anything from indegestion to toxicity. It also mentions that sometimes it can prove fatal which obviously was the case here. I'm pretty sure you can rule out the toxic thing because they just don't come in to contact with anything else. The indigestion or upset stomach is a possibility as he didn't eat like he normally would have today. Plus there were other contents from yesterday regurgitated in his enclosure. It's like he was trying to empty his entire stomach and couldn't get it back in or have the know how. Either way we are tore up here and it helps to have the encouragement because at times like these you just want to throw your hands in the air and say "to hell with it".