Amphibians
A Sub-Surface Basking Site and Shelter for Semi-Aquatic for Turtles, Newts and Frogs
Jan 10th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I’ve found the Penn Plax Turtle Pier to be one of the most useful of all basking platforms. In addition to providing a haul-out site that does not take away from the swimming area, it can be used by reptiles and amphibians in a variety of other ways. Today I’d like to describe two “fine points” that are sometimes over-looked when semi-aquatic terrariums are designed.
Sub-Surface Resting and Basking Spots
Many semi-aquatic turtles do not often fully emerge from the water, but rather rely upon resting sites that are just below the surface. Included among these are Mud, Musk, Snapping and Chinese Big-Headed Turtles. In the wild, these turtles, as well as Green Frogs, Ribbed Newts and many other amphibians, rest upon submerged logs, branches and rocks that almost, but not quite, reach the water’s surface. From such locations, they can watch for predators and prey and, possibly, obtain some UVB exposure (UVB rays do not penetrate very far into water). In aquariums, driftwood is also useful in this regard…please see the article below. More >
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Loading ...World’s Smallest Frogs Added to 2011’s List of Newly-Discovered Amphibians
Jan 2nd
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Two frog species recently discovered in southeastern New Guinea are smaller than any other 4-legged vertebrate. Within their pea-sized bodies, they pack a brain, lungs, heart, digestive system and most of the other organs that people have…simply astounding!
Tiny Frogs and Fish
The frogs, Paedophryne dekot and P. verrucosa, were collected several years ago, but were only described as new species this year (please see ZooKeys article). Among all the world’s vertebrates, only a single fish, a Southeast Asian relative of the carp (see amazing photo here) is smaller – and the new frogs exceed it in size by only 0.1 mm! Another contender for the title, a leaf-litter frog from Cuba (please see photo of striped frog), is only a tiny bit larger. More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Amphibian Abuse – Neon Dyed Frogs Wildly Popular in Chinese Pet Stores
Dec 23rd
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Many turtle keepers here in the USA can recall seeing hatchling Red-Eared Sliders with gaily-painted shells being offered for sale at pet stores and carnivals. Thankfully, through education and the passage of legislation, that practice, which killed thousands if not millions of turtles, is no longer with us. Unfortunately, an equally-horrific new fad has recently popped up in China, where millions of young African Clawed Frogs are being colored with industrial dyes and sold as short-lived “novelties”.
Torturing Sensitive Creatures
A thin, sensitive skin pre-disposes frogs to a variety of environmental hazards, and may be one of the factors behind the recent extinctions of hundreds of species worldwide. Permeable to water, oxygen and chemicals, frog skin is marvelous yet delicate, and easily irritated by any exposure to less-than-ideal environments.
So just imagine the effect of injections of industrial dyes! Actually, any animal would be horribly injured or killed by such a practice…in fact, the dyes being used on the frogs are reportedly dangerous for people to handle.
As you can see from article linked below, the frogs take on neon hues of pink, yellow, green and other colors, and appear more like plastic toys than live animals – a situation that makes it more likely they will be treated as objects and not living creatures in need of care.
Larger Issues: Animals as Objects
In addition to the outright killing of frogs, the practice of dyeing them raises the larger issue of how they are perceived. In this article, for example, the author has not even bothered to identify the type of frogs that are being sold, and even makes light of the situation – suggesting that the frogs sell-out so fast that prospective owners may need to dye their own! The author callously goes on to note that the dyes should last 3-4 years “…by which time the frogs will probably be long dead anyway”.
As you can see by the video linked below, sellers also show little regard for the doomed creatures’ needs – the dyed frogs pictured there are held in a bare tank of filthy water in which float dead fishes.
A Life-Saving Frog
Ironically, so much of interest could have been written about African Clawed Frogs. Once used as the basis for pregnancy tests (the Hogben Test), these frogs have been used in medical research for decades, and have saved countless human lives. Captives become quite responsive and have lived for nearly 30 years, and educational kits featuring Clawed Frog tadpoles have introduced millions of school children to the wonders of metamorphosis. I could go on…please see the article below for more on this most unique amphibian.
“Tiger Dogs” and other Odd Fads
Apparently, “plain” animals are not interesting enough for many modern-day consumers in China and elsewhere these days. Fishes confined to lockets are still being sold, and in the past few years the practice of coloring dogs to resemble tigers, pandas and other creatures has become fashionable (please see article below).
Reporting Animal Abuse
Please read my article on Reporting Animal Abuse (USA), and of course feel free to write in for advice; in most cases I’ll be able to direct you to an appropriate local authority if you have witnessed animal cruelty or abuse.
Please check out my posts on Twitter and Facebook. Each day, I highlight breaking research, conservation news and interesting stories concerning just about every type of animal imaginable. I look forward to hearing about your interests and experiences as well, and will use them in articles when possible.
Please also post your questions and comments here…I’ll be sure to respond quickly. Thanks, until next time, Frank Indiviglio.
Further Reading
Video of Dyed Frogs Held under Terrible Conditions
White clawed frog image referenced from wikipedia and originally posted by Museoftheviolets
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Hatching Praying Mantid Egg Cases to Feed Tiny Amphibians and Invertebrates
Dec 20th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Dietary variety is the key to success in rearing many herps and invertebrates. Unfortunately, options for newly-transformed frogs and salamanders, Poison Frogs and other small species and hatchling spiders are limited. A diet of fruit flies, springtails and pinhead crickets sometimes suffices, but as I learned when rearing the endangered Kihansi Spray Toad, other foods are often necessary. Praying Mantid Egg cases (properly termed “oothecum”), which may be collected or ordered from commercial dealers, are a useful but under-appreciated resource for those who keep small insectivorous pets.
Foreign Mantids in the USA
The 2 most-commonly encountered mantids (or mantises) in the USA are both introduced (not native). The largest and most widespread is the Chinese Mantid, Tenodera aridifolia sinensis, brought here in 1896 to battle insect pests. The European or Praying Mantid, Mantis religiosa, arrived as a stowaway around the same time. They and the world’s other 2,400+ species, consume vast numbers of beneficial and harmful insects…in fact, a single Chinese Mantid may consume 20,000 or more insects in its lifetime! More >
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...The Natural History and Captive Care of the Green and Black Poison Frog
Dec 16th
Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I’ve always favored the boldly-marked Green and Black Poison (or “Dart”) Frog, Dendrobates auratus, over most of its relatives. This was a turn of good fortune for me, as this gorgeous creature is one of the largest and easiest of the poison frogs to maintain. It is also not at all shy – while working in Costa Rica, I was surprised at how easy wild ones were to observe – and makes a wonderful exhibit animal. Green and Black Poison Frogs have become almost common in the trade, yet many remain unaware of some surprising aspects of their lives in the wild.
Little-Known Facts
First a few notes that have surprised me over the years.
Hobbyists accustomed to seeing these frogs in terrariums may be surprised to learn that wild specimens sometimes venture into forest canopies over 100 feet above ground…quite a climb for a minute frog! More >
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