James
2009-09-03 20:59:16 UTC
A tree frog is an excellent choice! most common ones are gray tree frogs, and green tree frogs, and red eyed tree frogs are just awesome. Should you decide to get a tree frog, here is an easy way to set up your tank.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
-For 1 frog, a 5 gallon tank, 2-4 frogs 10-15 gallon tank, 5 frogs a 20 gallon tank, and then just add 5 gallons for every additional 1-2 frogs
-You will need some rocks and dirt to make a "shore"
-Sticks
-Crickets, fruit flies, and any insect besides beetles or ants. crickets can be bought at petco/petsmart for 10-12 cents a cricket depending on size. (size of cricket depends on frog size, they can stomach some pretty big prey, but the width of the prey shouldn’t be bigger then the space between their eyes.)
-spray bottle, You will need to mist them/it often since humidity is vital.
THE SET UP:
1. First, take your tank and fill it up with water. The water shouldn’t be any higher then half the frogs height. It is ok to go a little over board, but remember, young tree frogs can drown.
2. Now using rocks and dirt, make a shore for the frogs to come out of the water, and for the crickets to walk on so the frogs can hunt them. (If you are not hand feeding them)
3. Then just add some sticks for them to climb on. (They are called tree frogs for a reason.) Also, a little place for them to hide in is always good, and fake/real plants are great, however real plants will require more maintenance. Don’t forget a cover to the tank with a lockable screen, or just put something heavy on it.
4. Your pretty much done now. You don’t NEED a UV light, but I always have one on during the day for my gray tree frogs because I think it makes the habitat look cool. Most frogs are comfortable at room temperature.
CARING FOR THEM:
-Remember to mist them daily, but it is not vital if you have water in the tank, as they drink through their skin so misting them is like giving them something to drink, but it still important for maintaining humidity, and I HIGHLY SUGGEST you add AT LEAST a water dish.
-For the younger ones, I think it is best to hand feeder them crickets, young frogs suck at cricket catching but they will also keep on attempting to ambush any prey that moves until they get the whole predator thing down. They won’t attack prey if it doesn’t move. A baby tree frog will average 1-2 small crickets a day. But until they are big enough for large crickets, You might end up feeding them up to 5 crickets a day! However They will be fine with 2-3. You should be spending about 15 crickets a week on each frog.
-Wash your hands before (ESPECIALLY BEFORE) and after handling. And don’t handle them often, since your bodies natural oils can be harmful to them.
-I Once had 6 in one tank once (eventually donated 3 since crickets were getting expensive) and I cleaned their tank every month. So I would figure If you have 1 tree frog, clean the tank every 6 months. I like to completely replace everything in the tank (except rocks, and this really good stick i found) but cleaning the walls, and removing feces, and replacing/adding substrate will work just fine.
AND NOW YOUR DONE!!!
Enjoy the tree frogs.
ALSO, I would suggest getting them as tadpoles because they are cheaper, and less stress when they change enclosure. tadpoles are easier to take care of then fish.
One more thing, just keep in mind that if you get multiple frogs, crickets are expensive, and frogs will eat 2-4 crickets a day EACH! So if you’re getting more then 3 try breeding your own insects.