Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. This is my first post here. Back in October, I'd gotten three Leptopelis vermiculatus tree frogs, aka Big-eyed tree frogs, also aka "peacock frogs" (for the call, I've been told). Two adults (one male) and a juvy (still green). I set up a 10-gal. tank and all went well right through to New Years. Then, one day, I was careless, and didn't notice the screen top wasn't evenly secured, and all three made a break for freedom. I found the male, but never did find the other two.

Anyway, except from heading in a beeline back to the part of the lid he'd first escaped from, the male seemed to be ok, and resumed his daily habits (sleep day buried in the orchid bark substrate of the orchid pot in the tank, up night, park butt in water at night, eat crix). About two weeks ago, I felt it was getting too cold in the room he was in, even with a heat bulb, and moved him into my main room, which is toasty because of all the lizard lights (beardies).

He's in a secluded spot, and the temps are good, but since he's in here, he's been staying covered up in the orchid substrate, and I haven't seen him come out at all, to eat or bathe. I mist, and dampen the media, and I hear him "chirping" a short time later. He vocalizes about 6 - 8 times a day, for about a minute or two at a time.

I have no idea if he'd started to go into some kind of semi-hibernation because of the temp drop in the other room, if he misses the others, or if I should dig him out and haul him to the vet. His calls are strong and regular, he's just not coming out to eat any more. Any ideas?

I've had a leptopelis species for several years. He does disapear from time to time. I don't believe it's true hibernation. I believe it's their way of dealing with environment that doesn't suit them for the moment. My specimen just dug in last week as well. If you want to check if he's ok, let a phone ring near his tank and see if he "answers". Mine will answer from under ground, which cracks me up. the first winter, I got nervous and dug him up. I think that just irritated him. By the way, he doesn't do it for any specific amount of time. Could be days or weeks. Good luck.

Mine seem to bury all of the time, but they are prefectly healthy. in fact the quack all night long. I thought I was missing or had sold a few and while I was repotting a plant I found two buried down in the soil. I put them back in their aqaurium. They lived in the pot for a week, and didn't leave. They are the most persistant frogs when it comes to burying themselves. I keep them in a deep substrate and moss, but they love to bury in the potted plants. I think they are a neat frog, the way they call is funny. I couldn't figure out what was making the noise at first. Whatever you do, don't keep them in your bedroom.