Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In the process of researching how I want to set up my larger vivarium I called T and C terrariums to ask some questions about what plants would grow well and still fit into the viv I am planning. What incredibly nice and helpful folks they have there!! Anyway during the course of the conversation I also got some advice on my current set up. She suggested I remove all the co-co bedding because it irritates the skin and causes them to scratch all the time and can even lead to infections. I noticed an immediate change in the behavior of the male as soon as I put him back in the tank. He's been out most of the time ever since I removed the bed a beast bedding. So currently I have jut gravel on the bottom of the tank but he definately prefers it over the other. So I will take her advice for the bedding set up for my new viv and I will let you know how that works out. I am just so relieved that he is out and about and eating now!! Thanks to all of you for all of your patience as I learn the ropes of caring for my very first pair of dart frogs.

By the way the hurricanes last summer wiped out almost their (T and C Terrariums)entire stock of frogs!! They lost nearly 3000 frogs, froglets and tadpoles. What a devistating loss!! I can't even imagine how difficult that must have been for them. She said that is the reason they took down their frog page for any who were wondering. And that it will take years for them to recover from their losses.

I'm glad things are working out. I wouldn't have guessed that the coco bedding was the problem. I do hope T&C recovers from the devastating losses. It's amazing they are even still available to answer your questions. Thanks for sharing this.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
5 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
6 D. leucomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus
4 P. terribilis
4 D. reticulatus
4 D. castaneoticus
2 D. azureus
4 P vittatus

It has been several days now since I changed the bedding. I am happy to report that my frogs are so much happier. I see them out all the time now and they are so funny at feeding time, they gather at the spot where the flies are falling in and gobble them up almost as fast as I can sprinkle them in. So I guess the male is adjusting fine.
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Be Happy, Be Healthy, Be Blessed
Jean

I have never had problems with coco bedding. and my personal guess as to why your frogs seem more out and about is that the removal of the cooo bedding has increased the humidity in your tank. Just plain coco bedding will absorb moisture, possibly lowering the humidity of the tank (i personally always keep either moss or leaf litter over my coco), which would cause your frogs to hide/act shy as they try to find a comfortable place to stay in. the removal of the coco, leaving only gravel would negate this effect, and the exposure and evaporation of the water between the gravel would also increase humidity. and it is sad to hear about T&C