Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 5 tree frogs, 3 large and 2 small. They get along fine. I found some small tree frogs at my local pet store and I want to get them but the guy that works there told me that my bigger tree frogs will eat these small ones. Is this true?? Howcome they haven't eaten my other small ones then? And also I don't know if this dude knows what he is talking about because he also told me my frogs were both the exact same type of frog and they definitely are NOT! Any suggestions?
Tanzee

Hi Tanzee,

That dude at the pet store deffinetly knows what he is talking about. Most species of frogs won't hesitate to eat other small frogs. In some species of frogs most of their diet is made up of other species of frogs. Whether your tree frogs would eat the new additions depends on the size of the frogs. If small and large means a 1 inch green tree frog and a 4 inch cuban tree frog then there deffinetly is a large risk that the smaller frogs would be eaten. Most species of tree frogs can easily eat anything that is the width of their head or smaller. Some species can handle larger food items. When there are multiple frogs in one cage it is safest if they are all the same size.

The other thing I want to touch on is mixing species. In general different species should be kept in different cages. Occasionally some species of tree frogs will do well together in the same enclosure but it's risky. Consider the conditions that both species of frogs need to live well. Are they the same? Probably not. Have a look at www.amphibiancare.com/frogs/articles/communitytank.html Good luck
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Devin
devin@amphibiancare.com
www.amphibiancare.com
4.1 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Dwarf French Guiana'
1.1 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
5.1 Mantella aurantiaca
2.1 Mantella crocea
0.1.4 Mantella madagascariensis
1.0 Ceratophrys cranwelli
1.0 Bufo americanus
0.0.1 Salamandra salamandra
1.0 Ambystoma tigrinum
0.1 Chamaeleo calyptratus
0.1 Phelsuma dubia
1.1 Uroplatus ebenaui
0.0.1 Chrysemys picta belli
1.0 Terrapene carolina triunguis

Most frogs will eat anything they can fit into their mouths, and sme will try eating things that are even bigger than they are. As a rule, I never mix species; it's too stressful on the frogs, and you risk them biting one another while feeding.
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Thanks for the info everyone! Yeah, so the guy at the pet store is right about one thing at least! But it still makes me angry that he told me that they were the same type of frogs when they definitely are not. Do I still have to seperate them? They have been in the same enclosure for over a year now. I have never had any problems. I am not sure of the exact length of the bigger guys, but it is probably about 2 inches (when they are curled up) and the smaller ones are about 1 inch but thinner that the big ones. Lots of times I see them laying together. The tank I have them in is a 50 gallon long. Yeah I know that it should be higher but mostly they hang on on the jungle vines or in their cave. Please let me know if I do need to seperate them. Thanks everyone!
Tanzee