Difference between revisions of "Care for a Red Eyed Tree Frog"

[[Category: Tree Frogs]]

#Gut-load your crickets. Before you feed your frog, you should feed its prey. Crickets are the primary food source for captive red-eyed tree frogs. One or two days before you feed your frog, feed the crickets a mix of dried and fresh foods to ensure that they are full of essential nutrients. Some good foods for crickets include crushed dog or cat food pellets, commercially produced cricket feed, mixed seeds, alfalfa, lettuce,  broccoli, carrots, and fruit.<ref name="rf1"> http://cricket-breeding.com/what-to-feed-crickets/</ref>

#*For adult frogs, dust their prey with reptile calcium/vitamin D3 supplements once a week. For younger frogs, you may have to do this every day. This will ensure that your frog is receiving all of its proper nutrients.<ref name="rf2">http://amphibiancare.com/2007/11/19/redeyedtreefrog/</ref>

#*The crickets you feed your frog should be no larger than their head. For young frogs, make sure that they are no bigger than a quarter of an inch long.<ref name="rf3">https://www.lllreptile.com/articles/116-red-eyed-tree-frogs/</ref>  

#Feed your frog insects every two or three days. Red-eyed tree frogs are insectivores, which means that they eat bugs and insects such as grasshoppers, crickets, and moths. You can buy live crickets from a pet or reptile store. Feed your frog around fifteen live crickets every two to three days.<ref name="rf4">http://www.reptilesncritters.com/care-guide-red-eyed-tree-frogs.php</ref>

#*Red-eyed tree frogs will occasionally eat worms as well. Wax worms are recommended for this. Do not feed them meal worms. Not all frogs will accept worms to eat, however.<ref name="rf5">http://www.redeyedtreefrog.com/Red-Eyed/red-eyed.html</ref>

#Provide a water dish. A wide, shallow water dish will allow your frogs to drink and hydrate. A water dish is essential because it will allow the frog to cool down if they are too hot or wash down if they become too dry. It can even increase the humidity in the terrarium.<ref name="rf8" /> A heavy plastic or clay water dish will prevent spills.

#*Water should be changed every day.<ref name="rf6">http://www.anapsid.org/greentreefrog.html</ref>  

#Spray the terrarium to increase humidity. Red-eyed tree frogs need a humidity of around 90%.<ref name="rf8" /> To help maintain the humidity, spray the terrarium with a water-filled spray bottle twice a day. Spray the walls, substrate, and furnishings.<ref name="rf8" />

#Invest in a glass terrarium. You will need at least a ten to twenty gallon glass terrarium for your tree frog. This size can accommodate up to four frogs comfortably. Make sure that you have a properly fitting screen-top. This will ensure proper ventilation while keeping everything secure in your frog’s habitat.<ref name="rf3" />

#Lay down a proper substrate. The material lining the bottom of the cage is called a substrate. For your red-eyed tree frog, you should put down about two or three inches of non-fertilized potting soil. You can mix this soil with bed-a-beast bedding, orchid bark, coco coir, paper towels, or peat moss to give it more texture.<ref name="rf4" /><ref name="rf7">http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Frog-Amphibian-Species/Red-eyed-Treefrog/</ref>

#*The substrate should be scooped out and replaced every two to three months.<ref name="rf8">http://amphibiancare.com/2008/05/27/terrarium-and-vivarium-maintenance/</ref>

#*Coconut halves make great dens for the frogs.<ref name="rf4" />

#*Leaves, driftwood, rocks, cork, and branches can give your frog something to climb and explore.<ref name="rf6" />

#*Heat pads can rest beneath the cage. Look for ones specially designed for reptiles at your pet store.<ref name="rf9">http://www.lllreptile.com/products/106-zoo-med-10-to-20-gallon-heat-pad</ref> Be warned that if water touches the hot glass, it can crack the glass.<ref name="rf4" />

#*Red or nocturnal bulbs can be left on all night to ensure around the clock warmth.<ref name="rf3" />

#Clean the cage regularly. The frog’s enclosure should be cleaned once a week. Remove all of the furnishings, and wash them with hot water only. Do not use soap; this could irritate your frog’s skin.<ref name="rf6" /> Remove visible debris from the substrate, such as leftover cricket parts or feces. The substrate itself only needs to be replaced every two to three months. Mist and wipe down the terrarium walls, but do not use commercial cleaning solutions or soap.<ref name="rf4" />

#Avoid handling the frog. Frogs are not pets that should be handled often. They may be skittish and afraid of human contact. In addition, their sensitive skin means that human skin can irritate them. Only handle your frog when necessary, such as during cleanings or if taking the frog to a vet.<ref name="rf3" />

#*To pick up a frog, dampen a dip net, and gently coax the animal inside. Place your hand over the net to prevent the frog from jumping out as you lift the net.<ref name="rf10">http://www.petplace.com/article/reptiles/general/enjoying-your-reptile/how-to-handle-an-amphibian</ref>

#Give tadpoles plenty of space. If you have multiple frogs in a terrarium, you may find that your females have laid eggs. Red-eyed tree frogs can lay up to 100 eggs at a time. The eggs will hatch after 9 days, after which you will have dozens of tadpoles in your water bowl or reservoir. Make sure that the tadpoles have at least two or three inches of water. Feed them crushed fish food until they can walk.<ref name="rf4" />

#Find a herpetarium veterinarian. If your frog is showing signs of low energy, appetite, or other unusual behavior, you will want to take it to see a vet. You should find a herpetarium vet who specializes in caring for reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. These can be very difficult to find, so locate one before your frog becomes sick.<ref>http://www.anapsid.org/vets/</ref>

#*To find a herp vet, you can contact local veterinary schools, or you can look through the member listings of the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians.<ref name="rf11">http://arav.org/</ref>

 

 

*Some people have artificial ponds instead of water bowls for a more natural look. These require frequent cleanings and filtration.<ref name="rf8" />