Observations on captive Pseudacris triseriata

[SludgeMunkey]

Small update on feeding:

As I develop more and more notes, and have gotten my specimens to the point they let me hand feed them (they literally will climb into my hand to feed on what I have in there!), I have found that small woodlice are definitely one of their preferred foods. I did a bit of experimentation by sequestering each frog in a deli cup. In each cup I added : one 1/4 cricket, one 1/8 inch woodlouse, three fruit flies, a 1/4 beetle and a small inch worm.
In every case, each of my 4 specimens devoured the wood louse first, followed by the inch worm. Beetles and fruit flies were ignored in favor of other foods. The crickets were all consumed last.

Also, these guys like "tree holes" (for lack of a better term). I Placed a few 3/4 inc PVC pipe branches I made in their enclosure. With in 48 hours all specimens had moved into these branches which are filled with soil two thirds of the way to make interesting little moisture retention hides.


In October, I am planning on putting these guys through a brumation period (Along with my Bombina orientalis) and try my hand at captive breeding them.

[Tom Highum]

Amazing Notes

[SludgeMunkey]

Thank you!

A quick update on photoperiod effects:

As the days get shorter and the nights longer, all specimens are becoming much more aquatic again. I am still using the photocell circuit to control their lighting. It appears this is working very well for the planned October brumation period.


I have not observed any wild specimens beyond a few feet from water since our night time temperatures started dropping into the 50's.

[SludgeMunkey]

I was observing my specimens this morning in complete darkness. (I decided to get out my nightvision rig) All three specimens were exhibiting luring behavior with all of their toes, very similar to various Bufonidae.

I dumped the goggles and got out a flashlight. I then added some D. hydei to their enclosure. As expected, the tow wiggling increased in the presence of food animals!

I tried to take video as the position they sit in to do this behavior is rather unusual. It is rendering now, so I will see if I was able to catch the detail...

Will update with video or drawings once the sun comes up.

[John]

If memory of phylogenetics serves, hylidae are much closer to toads than they are to frogs. Of course, memory may not be serving.

[Kurt]

I think you are corrent in that.