Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Yesterday I had a bad day. Today is not looking any better. I usually feed the frogs right before I go to work. They're usually out looking for food. Today I open the bin, and there's only one frog out. The other frog is missing. The bin has not been open one second that I haven't been present. The bin's bottom lip is recessed into the lid and closes with a latch, and while I had observed the frogs climing the corners, when the lid is latched not even a fruit fly could squeeze out. None of this changes the fact that there is now only one frog in the bin, though. The last time I saw them both was yesterday morning. The bin was closed and with the latch locked all day (as far as I know), I opened it once last night to put in some fruit to gather the loose flies in the bin, then it was closed and latched. The frogs were not out, but that's not unusual, since this was at around 11 PM.

A few days ago, I was concerned about the temps, so I put a heat pad underneath one side of the tank. Today when I was looking through the leaves, I noticed that some of them seemed crumpled, like they had dried out. Lifing them up off the substrate, I noticed a dry patch where it had dried all the water out of the substrate. It was just a small area, and the rest of the bin that was wet, and water was running down the walls. The other frog appears perfectly healthy, so I doubt the drying of the substrate is the problem. Even so, I immediately took the heat pad out and mounted it on the side of the bin, so it wouldn't dry out the substrate again. All this made me late for work, too.

Still, one of my frogs is missing. It probably happened sometime yesterday, and in my room, I have little hope of finding anything but a dessicated frog body. I feel terribl, my first darts, and one of them is probably dead in under a week.

I know how you feel, A month ago one of my imitators got out and the next day i found it's dead little body, i was really pissed at myself. But don't take it like you aren't good enough to take care of darts, these things happen.
Good luck with your other frog.
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Nate
1.1 alanis tincs
0.0.2 imitators
0.0.2 Azureus

I had this elaborate, long reply ready to go, and it got erased, so i'm gonna be brief now. This is my history of my experiences with darts, and or difficult frog raising.

6th grade- bought 2 froglet auratus from a pet shop-- didn't comprehend fruit fly cultures- starved them to death.

7th grade- bought i believe 5 Mantella Expectata- beautiful creatures, i want some more. Parasite got to them, killed them all. (didn't quarantine)

9th grade- bought 2 subadult auratus, didn't dust with calcium/vitamin supplements, they swelled up, became lethargic, and died.

Now, I am a Senior in High School- received 7 hawaiian auratus in early august. One escaped, and so now i have 6. So far i have 5 tadpoles, and 13 eggs from them. It's good to look back on your mistakes and smile and say, at least i'm doing it right this time.

I say all of this so that you see the light at the end of the tunnel. These are your first frogs. You are bound to make mistakes, because we have all made our fair share of them. Just remember that there is time, and you will eventually get everything right. It may take 6 years like it did me, or maybe a couple of days. Just keep at it and don't lose hope like i did so many times. Before i bought these frogs my Dad just laughed because of so many times before i had screwed up.
So keep herpin, and just remember your mistakes so they don't get repeated by later herpers.

WOW, alot more than 2 cents.... doubt it was worth it tho

Kasey Lawrence

One could do everything right and still the frogs we love meet their untimely deaths. Had one recently and it turned out that he(my first too)had an infection caused by a microscopic scratch for pete's sake!

If there is too much flex in your bin, the top and the sides might give enough to allow an escape artist out at no fault of yours(you closed and locked it, and probably checked it twice-but now we could maybe put to suspect that the type of bin and its use for darts might be re-evaluated and other future newbies spared the pain you had to suffer). Don't kick yourself too much, a commercial pet keeper designed by the pet industry I had presented the same problem and I had an escape as well.

Put some shallow bowls of water out in the room, hopefully the frog will find one and use it. This sometimes works with Toads, but its worth a try. I'm truly sorry, but keep on herping, the frogs that live are well worth the pain.

Regards,

Maggie

I have a frog going through the same thing you lost your frog to. I ordered my meds, but it scares the [bleep] out of me brecause Dr. Frye told me how often the infection will move rapidly through the frogs body.
Just wanted to share that it's one of the most common problems in the hobby.
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Nate
1.1 alanis tincs
0.0.2 imitators
0.0.2 Azureus

Thank you Nate, that helps ease my sense of "Gosh, its just me, my dumb luck and am I really cut out for this elite world of temperamental and precious creatures?". With all of us Dart froggers spread so far apart, its easy to get discouraged. Since, the condition is so common, I wonder if there is something to be done to prevent it. If you learn anything more about that, I'd be grateful to know. Hope you have a better ending with your little ones.

Regards,

Maggie

From what i know it really can't be prevented, it just happens when the frogs get scratched or cut. Dr. Frye recomended treating it with baytril, an antibiotic, and silver sulfadiazene, which is an anti fungal and anti bacterial medicine. Also, i just want to say that dr. frye is one of the most helpful people i have talked to about darts.
cheers
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Nate
1.1 alanis tincs
0.0.2 imitators
0.0.2 Azureus

im just hoping this wouldn't happen to me.... im jus a newbie for darts. hopefully it'll work out well.