Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, all. I've got a question. I just purchased my very first red eye this weekend at a local swap. The frog is wild caught but it looked in great shape. I have him in a temporary tank while I am putting together his permanent enclosure. I know that red eyes are nocturnal and he always sleeps through the day but he also seems to sleep a lot during the night. He is eating so I do know he gets around a little during the night. Well my question is does anyone know if most red eyes sleep as much as mine does? It is now 10:20 PM the lights have been off since 7:00 PM and he has yet to awaken. I am just qurious if this is normal for one frog to sleep so much. I was wondering if the temperature in the tank could be a factor but I always have it at in the low 80's during the day and mid 90's at night.
JAY

you have temp mid 90s at night?mid 70s you mean, i hope. Thats where they should be. But yeh, I also have a RETF and there are some nights ill go to sleep at 2 AM,and he still wont be awake, but in the morning hes sleeping n a different spot,his crix are missing and the water dish is empty,so chances are he does get around without you knowing it.good luck.

oops I ment mid 70's at night. Well that makes me feel better knowing others are like this frog as well. Thanks for the info.
JAY

Temps for Red eyes should be 80-85 day/ 70-75 night. They do sleep alot. I believe their active time is usually 3 or 4 am until about 30 mins before sunrise. Being it's new to you it may sleep more as it is getting used to it's new home. Best to just leave it be and continue feedings. Once it is settled in it may start waking earlier in the evening.
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Heather

Thank you for the info. I just want to get his new tank set up as soon as possible so I can get him in there. I hope that an enclosure much more like his natural habbitat will intice him to awaken more often. I'm just glad that he is eating and is healthy. Thanks again.
JAY

Red Eyes are sensitive to seasonal photo periods. If yours is wild caught as you say, depending on how long ago that took place, he is on summer time hours right now. That means long daylight periods and shorter nights. I have my lights on a timer and always adjust the photoperiod once a month or so to coincide with actual sun-up and sun-down so that they can get that extra little feeling of the change of seasons.

I was wondering if you could send me the photo period you use on your frogs per year(the # of day and night time hours for each month). This concept seams like another way to make my frog feel at home. Thanks Again.
Jay