What is the Best Tree Frog for a display

[Rocko]

Well Cheri I will grant you that I do not have darts. I just get a bit annoyed when it seems like you aren't a real frog keeper if you don't have a dart's terrarium somewhere. Plus I like the cool mixed eco system a firebelly tank can provide by having both the terrestrialish frogs, as well as some sort of aquatic companions.

[spankyg]

An alternative could be day geckos (dare I say that on frogforum?). They are diurnal and often very colorful. You often see these kept along with frogs because they are also insectivorous and often pose little danger to the frog.

My whites eat geckos lol

[clownonfire]

Well Cheri I will grant you that I do not have darts. I just get a bit annoyed when it seems like you aren't a real frog keeper if you don't have a dart's terrarium somewhere. Plus I like the cool mixed eco system a firebelly tank can provide by having both the terrestrialish frogs, as well as some sort of aquatic companions.

My major annoyance with dart frogs has been their owners. And I am not talking about all owners. It's a bit sad the reputation that dart frogs end up getting because of a number of their owners. These frogs are wonderful, I own a pair of vents, and they are by far my favorites (I just hope my other frogs don't hear me). Like Cheri said, they are bold, active, fun to look at. They are also diurnal. Mine have been courting for over 2 weeks now. They are also quite easy to care for, once you have set up the proper enclosure and you get comfortable with the fruit flies part of their main diet.

This being said, there's something of a snob aspect to owning these frogs, like Rocko said. And that has little to do with these wonderful creatures. I have stopped going on dendroboard because of that slightly over the top pride that some have about darts. Again, it's not everyone.

They really are not difficult to keep. Azureus are very hardy, for example...

[bshmerlie]

Eric's right...dart frogs have gotten a bad rep simply because "some" of their owners. I don't even think they realize what they're doing. By making a social "click" they are actually turning off new members from owning these types of frogs. But it doesn't just stop at dart frogs. It seems like a lot of frog keepers break themselves up into categories. You have your "pacman" guys, your "treegrog" people, and your "dart frog" suppremists. Like a "pacman" guy would never own a dart frog. Then you'll have some dart frog people own 100 frogs but not a single tree frog. Why is that? Try different frogs guys and see all aspects of the frog community in a new light. I own pacmans, tree frogs and now darts. Each type of frogs have unique characteristics that make them special. Just get the right frog for your situation. If your at work all day...get nocturnal frogs. If you are at home all day get a diurnal frog. Don't let social reputations keep you from a certain type of frog. "Fudge" the clicks. This is Frog Forum and all frogs are great.

[clownonfire]

Eric's right...dart frogs have gotten a bad rep simply because "some" of their owners. I don't even think they realize what they're doing. By making a social "click" they are actually turning off new members from owning these types of frogs. But it doesn't just stop at dart frogs. It seems like a lot of frog keepers break themselves up into categories. You have your "pacman" guys, your "treegrog" people, and your "dart frog" suppremists. Like a "pacman" guy would never own a dart frog. Then you'll have some dart frog people own 100 frogs but not a single tree frog. Why is that? Try different frogs guys and see all aspects of the frog community in a new light. I own pacmans, tree frogs and now darts. Each type of frogs have unique characteristics that make them special. Just get the right frog for your situation. If your at work all day...get nocturnal frogs. If you are at home all day get a diurnal frog. Don't let social reputations keep you from a certain type of frog. "Fudge" the clicks. This is Frog Forum and all frogs are great.

Cheri, it's always a pleasure to read you. And you do give great perspectives on threads. I have to agree, why bother with just one species. We have 5 different ones at home, some nocturnal and some diurnal, and they all bring something. I really enjoy my treefrogs at night when I read and they start to come out, as much as my FBT which seem to be on speed half of the time during daytime. Enjoy, and more than anything, make a choice that suits your needs, but also, the frogs' needs.

[Kisa]

Eric's right...dart frogs have gotten a bad rep simply because "some" of their owners. I don't even think they realize what they're doing. By making a social "click" they are actually turning off new members from owning these types of frogs. But it doesn't just stop at dart frogs. It seems like a lot of frog keepers break themselves up into categories. You have your "pacman" guys, your "treegrog" people, and your "dart frog" suppremists. Like a "pacman" guy would never own a dart frog. Then you'll have some dart frog people own 100 frogs but not a single tree frog. Why is that? Try different frogs guys and see all aspects of the frog community in a new light. I own pacmans, tree frogs and now darts. Each type of frogs have unique characteristics that make them special. Just get the right frog for your situation. If your at work all day...get nocturnal frogs. If you are at home all day get a diurnal frog. Don't let social reputations keep you from a certain type of frog. "Fudge" the clicks. This is Frog Forum and all frogs are great.

I definitely agree with Eric, you're posts are always so informational and true. I'm stuck on White's for now but I'll be moving on to others over the years I'm sure of it. Monkey frogs have been my latest "wow" (not sure if these frogs are completely separate from tree frogs or if people mean these when they say tree frogs) to me, I'm definitely looking forward to owning a pair of Phyllomedusa Tomopterna and others in the near future (particularly the giant monkey tree frog, not sure the scientific name, but those frogs are just something else). And with all this talk about dart frogs I'm starting to be fascinated by those. Maybe my dad wouldn't mind me keeping a few in the living room, since they're so small and they're awake in the day time, everyone could enjoy them. XD That won't be for a while though...but I do agree with what you're saying. There are SO many frogs out there, it's almost a crime to resign yourself to owning just one type or one species. It's more detrimental to the close minded person than anyone else because then they don't get to experience all the wonderful things ALL types of frogs have to offer. I know this already and I only have 1 WTF. XD I can't WAIT to expand my collection, and my knowledge about one of natures most amazing and versatile creatures.

[Kisa]

My whites eat geckos lol

OMg XD I can just see it now, WTF v. Gecko......>> WTF wins.

Oh geez I feel terrible, but when I think about my little Bruce (WTF) eating a gecko I can't help but laugh. They're little eating machines. XD

[Kurt]

Monkey frogs have been my latest "wow" (not sure if these frogs are completely separate from tree frogs or if people mean these when they say tree frogs) to me, I'm definitely looking forward to owning a pair of Phyllomedusa tomopterna and others in the near future (particularly the giant monkey tree frog, not sure the scientific name, but those frogs are just something else).

Monkey frogs of the genus Phyllomedusa are members of the family Hylidae (AKA the treefrogs), subfamily Phyllomedusinae. The giant monkey frog is Phyllomedusa bicolor by the way.

[DonLisk]

Well, so far I have started with 4 Whites Tree Frogs which are a fun, active, and a make you smile frog.
I then added 2 Red Eye Tree Frogs, beautiful, quiet most of the time, and definitely a night time frog.
Then the new dart frog which is cool to see every morning waiting for breakfast and usually out when I get home from work at night.

Next maybe:
I haven't done Firebellys yet but that may be next on the list since I want to create an island in a ZooMed 18x18x24 with live plants hanging down in from the back and two sides. But only the very top section will be done with foam and planted.
I think they would be the perfect inhabitant for this type of viv.

We'll see if this will fly with my wife or if I'll be packing up the drums, guitars, home theater, tools, and other addictions I have slowly accumulated from over the years ;-)

Oh and almost all of this is in our bedroom ;-) hehehehe

[bshmerlie]

Just beware if you are light sleepers the firebellies bark all hours of the night. It is a very faint bark but it is a slight noise. Of course I only have two. I find it soothing....but some may not.

[DonLisk]

Just beware if you are light sleepers the firebellies bark all hours of the night. It is a very faint bark but it is a slight noise. Of course I only have two. I find it soothing....but some may not.

Can't be any worse than a large piece of Tupperware with 100 plus crickets going off at night :-)

[Kisa]

Monkey frogs of the genus Phyllomedusa are members of the family Hylidae (AKA the treefrogs), subfamily Phyllomedusinae. The giant monkey frog is Phyllomedusa bicolor by the way.

Ok thank you, I wasn't sure if they were a seperate thing. I thought it was Bicolor but I didn't want to put down something wrong. Thanks Kurt, you've got good information as always. XD

[j3000]

I am so sorry for taking so long to write back I have not been feeling well and sspent a couple days in the hospital but I didn't forget about my post. I am going to get the aquarium this coming weekend and then I will post a picture of it. And also I will sit down with my wife a figure out my total budget for this project. Then maybe with all you guys, help we can figure out the best way to build this project. Because I am going to need alot of help. I have one more question have anyone used a black light to see there frogs.

[Grrrit]

I use a moonlight bulb 24/7 for warmth and night viewing. And a 2.0 during the day for the plants and day viewing. I've heard of a lot of people using the red lights as well. But I too am new to frogs, and someone here can give you better info and maybe why certain lights are used.

[Kisa]

That's ok, I hope you're feeling better. D: Seems like there a cold going around in my neck of the woods, I'm just getting over it now. Sickness is tough.

I have never used a black light but infrared and "moonlights" are ok. I am currently using Exo Terra's night glo lights for my White's viv at night but I used to use a 50w infrared so I could view him while he was awake. Both work well, but in a taller viv the night glo doesn't illuminate everything and it can be hard to look into the viv from far away. During the day I have an Exo Terra 5.0 and 2.0 in the viv for warmth and light for the plants.

Pet stores and reptile supply stores online and in person sell a variety of bulbs depending on the animals/plants that you choose to house in your viv, I'm sure if you look around you'll be able to find something that suits your needs if you do plan on getting a nocturnal species.

[clownonfire]

I use a 15w nightlight for my treefrogs, but that is completely for me, as the frogs do not need it. If you have plants, indirect daylight should be sufficient during daytime (depending on the plants of course), making a night light a nice to have, more than a need to have.

[j3000]

I am home all day and night I am on disability but my wife works during the day if that helps decide what kind of frogs might be helpful

[clownonfire]

I've re-read this thread. Basically, it comes down to the effort and the investment in time and money you and your wife want to put in.

Diurnal:

Fire-Bellied toads are not expensive, are very active, their enclosure is easy to build and maintain. They are bold, and you might even hear them at night croak if you have males. Conclusion: Easy, low in costs and time investment. Beautiful to look at.

Dart frogs: I'm not sure this is your best bet by what I'm reading. They are more expensive, and will need a specific enclosure: higher temperature and very high humidity. Plants also are extremely important in their enclosures. You will also need to feed them fruit flies, and although you can easily order some depending on where you are, I believe that having fruit flies culture is the way to go. Conclusion: More expensive and work extensive.

Nocturnal:

Treefrogs would be a great bet. You can go with the American Green Treefrog, which you will find basically anywhere. Their enclosure is easy to make. Conclusion: Easy, low in costs and time investment.

I also have a Big Eyed Treefrog which is beautiful, easy to take care of (they need more humidity, so be prepared to mist once or twice a day). Males will croak too, quite often, which I love. Conclusion: Easy, low in costs and time investment.

These are the frogs I know that I would suggest. Kisa and Leefrogs will certainly suggest White Treefrogs, which I think would be a good choice, but I do not know them enough to say more.

Same goes for pacman frogs. Easy from what I read, and a good choice for beginners, but I will let the experts speak.

Good luck!

[j3000]

I ment to say moonlight bulbs. I knew what they were. I just couldn't think of them. I called my sister about the aquraium it is longer then taller. I am thinking about the firebelly toads with some nice plants put in. with a nice waterfall put in the corner. Now could I add anoles to the mix or will that cause a problem.

[j3000]

I have had pacman frogs before and they eat anything that they can get there mouths around. Also I have had cane toad before and they eat everything. I named him dog because he was half the size of one of my daschunds.