Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a new Whites tree frog and have been getting a lot of conflicting information regarding his care. He is about 1 1/2 inches long, so I 'm thinking that he's a young frog. I keep his terrerium (5 gallon, just for now) at a constant 75-80 degrees and humidity ranges from 65-80%. I purchased the "block" of substrate at the pet store, and had to soak it in water and squeeze the water out and then I put about 1 1/2 inches in the bottom of the tank. I'm concerned because when he eats, he grabs a ton of the Mossy/soil substance with the cricket.. I put only 1 in at a time..I'm worried about the whole "cricket nibbling on the frog" thing. He also gets some of the soil all over his underbelly and his head and body. I try to keep it cleaned off. I keep fresh spring water in his bowl and clean that every day. He washes in it at night, its always full of dirt in the morning. Am I doing anything wrong? should I change my substrate? I will be cleaning out his tank tomorrow night.. so wanted to know if I should buy new moss, or something else to line his home...

firstly tour humidity is to high, try to keep it around 50%.

what substrate are you useing? it is ok if he swallows fine soil, but lumps of moss is dangerous.

sometimes if crix are uneaten they may nibble on the frog, so just make sure they eat everything you through in, and take out the left over crix.

i have a detailed care sheet of WTF's on my website so go check it out.

luke z
-----
http://luke_zecevic.tripod.com/frogsofaustralia

Thanks for your information, this is what I meant.. I've had a lot of conflicting information, websites, pet stores... I was told to mist down the tank daily.. but that keeps his humidity to high..thats what I thought the issue was..how do I lower it?? Also, I'm concerned about one other thing, during the day, when he's sleepign, he turns a brownish purple color... is this normal? He alwasy returns to his pretty green shad.. but I just worry.. I love him already so much..I'm getting him a bigger terrarium this weekend, the pet store told me the 5 gallon would be fine..but I want him to have lots of room..

thanks,

Jess

Here is a link to the best caresheet that I've found, and it covers all of your questions. Good luck, and just to echo what the caresheet will say, you will definately need a larger tank.
Whites Care Sheet

-----
*~~Whitney~~*

Though here at journey's end I lie in darkness buried deep, beyond all towers strong and high, beyond all mountains steep, above all shadows rides the Sun and Stars forever dwell: I will not say the Day is done, nor bid the Stars farewell."

5 gallon is much to small, 20 gallon is a minumum. just check on my site is goes over all of it.

luke z
-----
http://luke_zecevic.tripod.com/frogsofaustralia