Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My Alanis tincs are doing well, but I have one that has REAL troubles catching flies. I've seen all the antics that froglets go through trying to learn to be proficient hunters, but this guy really has trouble catching flies. It takes him a good 5-6 shots to catch anything, and he doesn't even touch them most of the time. Naturally, he's a little small (although still quite healthy because I try to always overfeed).

Has anyone else had this type of problem?
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense

Homer, I have seen this a number of times when housing several tincs in a relatively small enclosure (or sometimes to large of an enclosure). If you haven't already done so, I suggest seperating the problem frog and housing it in a 3 to 5 gallon size enclosure. I strongly feel that this is stress related as weaker/smaller frogs are intimidated by the larger rivals when it comes to feeding. Alot of times you may never see any actual physical contact so it can be hard to suspect any rivalry exists. Alot of the problem feeders I've had usually pull out of this and grow on to be nice, healthy frogs...and then, some haven't. Good luck with the little guy and keep us informed on his status. =)

-Bill J
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One of my leuks does something similar. He dives on his nose and sometimes flips over onto his back in his enthusiasm. This happens especially when he is after tiny springtails. While he is the smallest leuk, he is also the most active. In this case, it doesn't seem to be related to intimidation as he is the one that hops all over the backs of the rest of them if they are in his way.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
3 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
4 D. leukomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus pending

I had this happen to a tinc that I got a few weeks ago... it was doing it right from the first day I got her... probably due to shipping stress. She never pulled out of it & just kept getting thinner & thinner. Finally, on the advice of the breeder I got her from, I had to put her down...

What is the most humane way to put a frog down? Refrigerator?
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Matt

When I bred African Bullfrogs, I'd sometimes have frogs morph out without ever having their front legs emerge. I euthanized them in much the same way that I put down deformed veiled chameleons and snakes, put them in a plastic shoebox and put them in the deep freezer. The colder the freezer is, the better.
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Randy

For small frogs I would consider filling a jar with a liquid such as anti-freeze or alcohol and placing the jar in the deep freeze over night with the freezer turned all the way down. Then place the frog in the jar in the morning. Death should be almost instant, or at the very least shock will be.

I know, it doesn't sound nice, but it is faster.

Joe
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4.0.0 Tinc Patricias (darn it)
0.0.5 Aurotaenia
0.0.2836 Pea Aphids
0.0.4392 Springtails
0.0.1842 FruitFlies

All this sounds awful can't you just keep the poor frog by itself and give it extra food so he doesn't have to struggle so much to get it. Maybe you can put a piece of friuit in the tank so the flies don't move so much. I wouldn't have the hart to kill a poor froggy :0(

sometimes that is the most humane option. It is not heartless to put a creature out of it's misery. This applies to humans as well but that is my opinion and a wholenuther can of worms
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Matt

I have read that applying Orogel, which is apparently a dental anesthetic is acceptable. I am not sure whether this kills the frog outright by anesthetic over-dose, this but could be followed by freezing. A household freezer is too slow unless the frog is pre-anesthetized, but immersion in liquid nitrogen would be rapid and acceptable. You might get liquid nitrogen from a medical gas supply place, a large animal vet (used to freeze bull and horse semen), or many dermatologists use it regularly for freezing skin lesions.(Except for the Orogel recommendation, which I have read on another forum, the other information comes from Amphibian Medicine and Captive Husbandry, which does not recommend household freezers as humane.)

However, I don't think Homer's frog seems ready for this yet.
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Patty
Pahsimeroi, Idaho

4 D. auratus blue
3 D. galactonotus pumpkin orange splash back
5 D. imitator
4 D. leukomelas
4 D. pumilio Bastimentos
4 D. fantasticus pending

Frankly, I, too, thought the recommendation of euthenasia was bizarre given my characterization of the frog. A little slow, yes, wasting away, no. I was just curious as to whether others had seen this situation before, and whether there was an explanation for it. I'll buy the fact that it could be stress induced, otherwise the froglet would not have made it to be 5-7 months of age. I will separate him out, but putting him out of his misery does not really adequately describe the situation.

It's a little thin, but not to the extent that I'm worried about its health. It still eats, but it's just not quick at catching its food.
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Homer W. Faucett III, esq.
Purveyor of Trivialities and Fine Nonsense