Food for winter

[Linda3frogs]

Hi, I've got three Golden Bell frogs of average size. They mostly eat flies over the summer and meal worms in the winter. However, I was wondering if I can freeze the huge excess of flies over summer for winter feeding? Do frogs eat crawly things in the water? I keep tropical fish as well, will my frogs eat frozen blood worms or shrimp. I feel that although my guys look happy and healthly they need some variety. They wont touch crickets, they just stuff themselves on flies.
Any ideas???????? Thanks

[Leefrogs]

I would think that flies would get freezer burnt. And all the vitamins and moisture get kinda sucked out. Maybe if u could find a way they wouldn't get icy. Canned crix are a good substitute for live foods. Some members don't like them. But I called exoterra today to get details on processed crix. They are put in cans alive, I thaught they smelled salty and was concerned. I'm also afraid of using mealworms because of impaction. Good to hear you're not having problems that way. as far as bloodworms, I would use internal search and see what comes up. I know earthworms are a balanced meal. But those are hard to find in winter and baitshop suppliers have theirs hibernating. Good to have u on forum. Hope to hear more

[bshmerlie]

The problem with frozen or canned foods is that frogs locate their prey by movement. Some people can get their tree frogs to eat with tongs and shaking the prey. I have personally never tried it.

[Leefrogs]

Really there us no problem with dead foods. I actually like this better because they don't get a mouth full of garbage. And I find them waiting for me at feeding time, and that streingthens our human/frog bond. I have whites, or green tree frogs, as you'd call them, and I find them very smart. I do throw in live prey, but ever single time some1's got a mouth full of stuff that's not food, no matter how large the prey is. Hand feeding is easy, and my son feeds with his fingers, and they still eat. I would think, being so close to equator there wouldn't be a lul in insects, but I wonder if you could find earthworms. Contact Ebony, she's a local over there, and I think she would have a few ideas fir you.

[ARMS87]

The problem with frozen or canned foods is that frogs locate their prey by movement. Some people can get their tree frogs to eat with tongs and shaking the prey. I have personally never tried it.

Never worked for my tree frogs or fbts they just run away

[Linda3frogs]

Hi again, my guys eat off my fingers or blunt forceps. They seem to know when it's feeding time in the evening. I was thinking of freezing the flies in water in ice cube trays. thawing a cube of flies a day for an instant meal. if I'm too slow with getting a fly or worm ready then the frogs will have a go at catching a finger. Size is no matter, if it moves it's food!
someone asked what my favorite frogs were. you guys are so lucky with the variety you can get and keep. wow there's some awesome sorts out there! I'd love some different colours and sizes, anything really. However, in clean, green New Zealand we only have five (I think, someone correct me) varieties of frog. Greens and browns in colour, and from 2 -12cm (?) The golden bells and little tree frogs are fairly common and in the pet shop seasonally but the others are very rare and protected. I love NZ's environmental protection laws and what we do for our native species. sadly we're slowly losing so much. when I was a kid there were always frogs in the back yard and lizards in the wood pile. not any more!
have a nice day

[Leefrogs]

So sad to hear bout wild poulations. It's a concern of mine. Hawaii had destuction of natural animals but u can find darts and bunch that dont belong. But ilove your local green tree frog, whites in US lingo. Ice cubes sound like good one! Maybe u could set trap to. Like the cone inside box kind. Where they bugs enter and cant find entrance. Put some kind bait, maybe that get bugs u need that r shy? Best of luck

[Ebony]

Hi again, my guys eat off my fingers or blunt forceps. They seem to know when it's feeding time in the evening. I was thinking of freezing the flies in water in ice cube trays. thawing a cube of flies a day for an instant meal. if I'm too slow with getting a fly or worm ready then the frogs will have a go at catching a finger. Size is no matter, if it moves it's food!
someone asked what my favorite frogs were. you guys are so lucky with the variety you can get and keep. wow there's some awesome sorts out there! I'd love some different colours and sizes, anything really. However, in clean, green New Zealand we only have five (I think, someone correct me) varieties of frog. Greens and browns in colour, and from 2 -12cm (?) The golden bells and little tree frogs are fairly common and in the pet shop seasonally but the others are very rare and protected. I love NZ's environmental protection laws and what we do for our native species. sadly we're slowly losing so much. when I was a kid there were always frogs in the back yard and lizards in the wood pile. not any more!
have a nice day

I know how you feel Linda..The three species we can keep are The Green and Golden Bell (Litoria aurea), The Southern bell (Litoria raniformis) and the Whistling tree frog (Litoria ewingi).I keep all three and breed the Whistlers. The Green and Golden's do well up North..but not here. That's why we keep them in doors..too cold in Christchurch. We have many spots in Christchurch where you see the Southerns and the Whistlers.

As for food..Ive never feed my frog food that not alive. That's interesting that frogs obviously can be accustomed to hand feeding. I can hand feed live food but never tried anything else. It can be tricky in the winter to locate food. I breed Locusts which i also sell to keep my frog addiction going.

The other alternative is to put your frogs into hibernation. Its just a matter of moving there home into an unheated room. Make sure you lower the water and clean out first. I put mine in hibernation over winter. My Southern live outside in the froggery so they automatically go into hibernation..so do my Whistlers.