Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I picked up a huge male malasian leaf frog at the october hamburg show in PA, as a favor to the aquarium I volunteer at, since they needed a new frog, and they have a habit of picking out boring frogs, or frogs they are unable to properly care for.Also they gave me a "FROG FUND" and I was determined to find THE COOLEST frog I could, that would actually live in captivity!

anyway the leafie is doing quite well, and they would like to put him in with some leaves that will really show how well he is adapted for hiding in leaves. I picked sycamore leaves, since they REALLY have the same shape, the right points to match his face, etc. I looked into oak leaves(too much tannin) ficus(sticky caustic sap) and a few others, only to be disappointed. I know this frog will soak up any toxins that are in his enclosure, so I would like to know if sycamore leaves are inappropriate for this purpose. There are no pesticides or fertilizers on these dry leaves. thanks in advance...
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- Happy herping!

KE

Oak leaves are fine and often used in dendrobatid exhibits.
Additionally due to the tannins it takes awhile for the leaves to break down.
Tannins are present in many species of trees and to assume that the frog would not be exposed to them normally is an incorrect assumption.

Ed