Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Tammy pointed out today that fantasticus are a frog you wont see to often..and it got me to right these post because I see mine all the time! The reason for this is simply I think. My pr of frogs in in a terrarium that is extremely well planted over the last several months it has come to my attention that the more hiding spot you give a frog they more their out. I feel it makes them more secure because they can simple hide at the first site of danger. Any one have any thoughts on this?
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Brian Ferriera JR
Plympton, Ma

P. Terribilis (orange)
P.Bicolor (soon)
D. azureus
D. ventrimaculatus
E. hahneli
D. tinctorius (Oyapok )
D. Fantasticus
D. leucomelas

Providing lots of hiding places has certainly made my extremely timid blue auratus feel more secure. I also provided little "canyons" where they can hop between a couple of rocks or branches, yet still be seen. The most successful ploy was to allow the condensation to remain on the glass, but of course this is rather self defeating, since then you can't see the pretty colors of the frogs or anything else in the vivarium except shadows. I've had four of them for a year now, and they have very gradually become less skittish, but I doubt they will ever become participants in all activities like the galacs and imitators are. At first, I had to periodically remove every cover to count them and make sure they were all alive and looking healthy.
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Patty
Lost River, Idaho

I work part time for a reptile dealer. We have blue auratus in stock. They are now 7 months out of the water (I believe), and were 2 months out of the water when we got them. We are actually keeping them on the warm side (82 fahrenheit), and humidity is ALWAYS above 90%. Now, dart fan (the breeder's handle on this forum) is the one who bred them, and their parent's are brutally shy. Ours are super bold, and are out more than our green/black auratus which are quite bold as well. I suppose this is just anecdotal advice. I will also note that the tank is sparsely planted (relative to mine), and there is a dark background on the rear of the tank. There are however, branches in the viv that provide a sparse sort of cover from above. Again, this is merely anecdotal information, and the boldness could be completely unrelated to humidity levels and temp.
Just thought I'd share though.
Double J

Ive found when working with more timid species such as a auratus, that they are not less bold then species like intimidators and teribelis. Its just you have to coax it out of them. A Combination of high temps/humidity and a well planted viv, will help there naturale instincs feel more "at home" which will actualy give you a bolder and happier frog.

My fantasticus (which are siblings to Brian's) aren't nearly as shy as I was lead to believe they'd be. Heck, yesterday I opened the cage to feed them and found one calming swimming laps in the pond. She(?) got out only after I closed the tank and then only to eat.
They can panic if startled though.

Hey Brian,

I said that about the fantasticus because most people I know that have them say they are really shy...my personal expeience with my group of 5 is that I see them every day as long as it is early in the morning or evening. Many times all 5 will be out for me to watch the group of 2:2:1 interact...I was very surprised to find that mine were not shy and it is sounding like a few other also have not shy fantasticus. I think also the location of the tank makes a difference. If they are in a busy room they get used to people where if they are in a separate frog room and don't see people often they are more freaky.

Tammy