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I tried to post this before but doesn't look like it posted... if it did, then ignore this post...if not READ ON....

I found this frog on/in our hottub and wanted to bring it in and make a home for it. It is starting to get cold here and I figured that the frog was finding some warmth.

I do not know what type of frog it is and want to make sure I make a terrarium that will be the best habitat for the frog. Also, what does this frog eat and how long will it live?

Thanks!

Frog Novice

It looks like a grey treefrog, or a cope's grey treefrog.

I forgot, grey treefrogs are a type of species that can survie freezing weather. They have a natural antifreeze just like spring peepers and wood frogs which can allow them to freeze over the winter. Once I kept a treefrog that I got in the chill of november. It was hopping on my grandparents lawn. If the treefrog is around 1 inch long the tank should be around ten gallons. If it is 2 inches, they should have a 20 gallon high, or a 29 gallon. They eat about anything, they also go crazy eating moths. They are nocturnal.

I have a large greenhouse like glassed enclosure (well it is probably 3o x 30 x 40 something). The top is a glass top and there is some cracks around where the top fits so some air will get in. But it does get very humid.

Will he be okay in this? Do they like water to swim in? Right now I just have him in there with the wood bottom a plastic glass on its side, a tupperware with lots of water, a tupperware lid with some wather, a box, and a purple passion plant in a planter. This is temporary until I can set up a better habitat with dirt, water, branches, plants, etc.

Do you think it is okay to keep him or do you think I should just let him go? I want him to be happy

thanks...

Frog Novice

That is a pretty huge tank for a treefrog. You must make sure their is not any way that it can escape by squeezing out. Since it is a temparate species, room tempature will be fine unless it goes over 78 degrees. It should be in the 70 degree area. I will guess the humidity should be around 60%. You shouldn't be worried about the humidity as long as the are feels dry. You should put a lot of branches in there so it can climb. In addition, if you flip the tree frog over over to see if it has a markings on it. If it has red or orange markings it is defanitly a gray tree frog. Also they don't like to swim but they like to soak in the water. So keep the water low enough so only their head will protrude through the water surface when they rest. As for keeping him are not, he has a better chance of surviving if you keep him/her, and it will be eating beter food. But keeping him will take away its freedom. In the wild it wouldn't have any boundries. But the enclosure you have is big, and you probaly can keep many frogs it it and make a community tank. If you can post a picture of it.

I went back and measured it and it is only 20 X 20 X 20 - A picture is below. Is this big enough?

My important question is what can I feed it I don't have bugs?

One more question too. Should I put dirt on the bottom or rocks or what?

Oh and one more... I haven't handled him yet (we caught him with a glass. Should I wear gloves when handling him?

Thanks again!

Frog Novice

You dont have to wear gloves, just wash your hands throughly before and after handling. That enclosure is very nice but i'm assuming it might be bacteria infested so just make sure you clean off the insides of the glass. Remember frogs absorb through their skin and that is why it is important to have a clean habitat for them. I personally went out and bought terrarium cleaner which i believe kills off germs. I believe antibacterial soap will work but just make sure you rinse it really well afterwards. For the bottom you can buy bed a beast which is coco fiber. It holds in moisture really well and is extremely cheap, you can buy it almost at any pet store. hope this helps, and good luck. btw if you decide to get more grey tree frogs, just remember putting captive bred and wild caught ones together can be dangerous considering wild caught one might have certain pathogens in them and cause your other frogs to get sick...~

Also that tank is big enough to fit many tree frogs.

If I did it right, that tank is about 35 gallons. If that is a Grey tree frog you can comfortably house 4 adults and not worry about over crowding. If you are going to find others to add to the tank, keep them all the same species so that you don't have to worry about parasites and stress.
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Heather