That Reptile Blog » Amphibian Articles

First Completely Monogamous Amphibian Identified – the Mimic Poison Frog

findiviglio — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:17:14 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Genetic research has revealed that a fairly well-studied frog has been hiding an astonishing secret – pairs form lifelong pair bonds and remain faithful to one another. Equally surprising is the fact that pool size alone (and not morality!) seems responsible for the fidelity shown by Mimic Poison Frog (Ranitomeya imitator) More >

Post from: That Reptile Blog

First Completely Monogamous Amphibian Identified – the Mimic Poison Frog

Houseflies and Maggots as Food for Reptiles, Amphibians and Invertebrates

findiviglio — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:26:06 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The world’s 250,000+ fly species figure importantly in the diets of a wide range of smaller creatures…this makes sense, as approximately 1 in every 10 animal species is a fly! My first attempt at culturing Houseflies began with a fish-baited jar and ended with a house full of buzzing flies and More >

Post from: That Reptile Blog

Houseflies and Maggots as Food for Reptiles, Amphibians and Invertebrates

The Natural History and Care of Newts – Japanese and Chinese Fire-bellied Newts

findiviglio — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 15:18:39 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Please see The Natural History and Captive Care of Newts, Part I for general information. Today we’ll take a look at newt that has long been popular with amphibian enthusiasts, the Japanese Fire-Bellied Newt (Cynops pyrrhogaster). This species is often confused with the Chinese Fire-Bellied Newt, C. orientalis. Chinese Fire Bellied More >

Post from: That Reptile Blog

The Natural History and Care of Newts – Japanese and Chinese Fire-bellied Newts

Wild Caught Invertebrates as Reptile and Amphibian Food – Some Concerns

findiviglio — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:05:46 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Today I’d like to highlight a question that was recently posed on this blog concerning the use of wild-caught invertebrates as pet food. The writer expressed the well-founded concern that fertilizers might render such invertebrates toxic, and also asked about the possibility of parasite transmission. Fertilizers Fertilizers might be a concern for invertebrates More >

Post from: That Reptile Blog

Wild Caught Invertebrates as Reptile and Amphibian Food – Some Concerns

The Natural History and Captive Care of Newts – Part 1

findiviglio — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:10:33 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Newts have long been among the most popular of all amphibian pets, and with good reason. Unlike most others, they are bold, active by day and readily accept prepared foods. Many are easy to breed in captivity and quite long-lived…a California Newt (Taricha torosa) in my collection reached 20 years of More >

Post from: That Reptile Blog

The Natural History and Captive Care of Newts – Part 1

Cold Snap in Florida Affects Introduced (i.e. Burmese Pythons) and Native Herps

findiviglio — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:03:49 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I’ve received a number of questions lately from herp enthusiasts (and “regular people”!) who have come across cold-stunned reptiles and amphibians in Florida. Cuban Knight Anoles, Green Tree Frogs and many other species have been severely impacted by the record-breaking cold weather. Burmese Pythons A colleague’s comment on cold weather and Florida’s introduced More >

Post from: That Reptile Blog

Cold Snap in Florida Affects Introduced (i.e. Burmese Pythons) and Native Herps

Raising Springtails as Food for Poison Frogs, Mantellas and other Small Amphibians – Part 2

findiviglio — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:49:21 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Springtails are minute, primitive, wingless insects classified in the Order Collembola. Over 6,000 species are found in most temperate and tropical habitats, where they figure importantly in the diets of Poison Frogs (Dendrobates, Phyllobates, Oophaga), small salamanders and newly metamorphosed amphibians of many kinds. Please see Part I of this article More >

Post from: That Reptile Blog

Raising Springtails as Food for Poison Frogs, Mantellas and other Small Amphibians – Part 2

Gas Bubble Disease in Aquatic Frogs, Newts and Salamanders

findiviglio — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:35:01 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. I’m frequently contacted by amphibian keepers who find that their pets are floating about at the water’s surface and seem unable to submerge. While gas produced by bacteria within the animal can cause this, the most frequent culprit is Gas Bubble Disease. This term is sometimes used to refer to any More >

Post from: That Reptile Blog

Gas Bubble Disease in Aquatic Frogs, Newts and Salamanders

Raising Springtails as Food for Poison Frogs, Mantellas and other Small Amphibians – Part 1

findiviglio — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:41:35 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. The diets of captive Poison Frogs (Dendrobates, Phyllobates, Oophaga), Mantellas, small salamanders (i.e. Red-Backed Salamanders) and tiny, newly-transformed amphibians are usually limited to the two readily available foods of appropriate size – pinhead crickets and fruit flies. The minute, wingless insects known as Springtails (Order Collembola) are easy to procure and More >

Post from: That Reptile Blog

Raising Springtails as Food for Poison Frogs, Mantellas and other Small Amphibians – Part 1

Poison Frog Skin Toxins and Their Use in Hunting and Warfare

findiviglio — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 11:41:54 +0000

Hello, Frank Indiviglio here. Central and South American frogs of the family Dendrobatidae secrete virulent skin toxins (histrionicotoxins, batrachotoxins and others) when disturbed. Many people believe that the toxins of many species of Poison Frogs, known also as “Poison Arrow Frogs” and “Dart Poison Frogs”, were once used to coat darts and arrows used in More >

Post from: That Reptile Blog

Poison Frog Skin Toxins and Their Use in Hunting and Warfare