Amazon Milk Frogs

Amazon Milk Frog
(Trachycephalus resinifictrix)

Introduction: In the past, the Amazon milk frog was difficult to locate in captivity but recently, thanks to successful captive breeding programs, the Amazon milk frog has become relatively common in collections. They are easy to locate online from large reptile dealers, and it isn’t uncommon to find one for sale at a local reptile show. One of the reasons people choose to keep this species is because of their attractive coloration and pattern. Juvenile Amazon milk frogs are banded in black and white, but as they mature their contrasting colors change. The black lightens to a dark gray or brown while the white tends to darken to a very light gray. Their skin has a very granular or bumpy texture which gives the frog a distinct look. More unique than their appearance is their breeding behavior. This species of frog breeds only in holes inside large trees, which is one of the reasons it took hobbyists so long to successfully breed them in captivity. Their common name milk frog refers to the poisonous, white, milky secretion that this frog may secrete when threatened. The Amazon milk frog is a rather large tree frog and adults usually range in size from 2.5 to 4 inches (6.3 cm to 10 cm), with males being smaller than females.

Cage: Amazon milk frogs are large tree frogs that should be kept in a cage that offers plenty of room. A standard 29 gallon aquarium that measures 30 inches long by 12 inches wide by 18 inches high (76 cm by 30 cm by 46 cm) is enough room for two to four adult Amazon milk frogs, although more room is better. A tight-fitting cover is essential to prevent escapes. Attaching black poster board or an aquarium background to all but one side of the aquarium will reduce stress and make the frog feel more secure.

The main components of their cage should consist of a substrate, perches, and hiding areas. The substrate that is used should hold moisture, be safe if swallowed, and easy to clean. Coconut husk fiber (bed-a-beast, forest bed, eco earth, etc.) or other safe soil substrate is a good option. Avoid soils that contain vermiculite or perlite. Simple substrates such as moist paper towels or foam rubber can also be used. Gravel, small bark chippings, and reptile cage carpet should not be used as substrates. Perches can consist of sturdy pieces of drift wood, cork bark tubes, bamboo poles or pieces PVC piping. The Amazon milk frog is arboreal and will do best when provided with hiding spots that are at the top of the cage rather than on the floor. These can be created by resting curved pieces of bark against the side of the cage or by attaching other types of hide spots to the side of the cage with silicone sealant. Many keepers choose to recreate a hole in a tree on one side of the cage for use as a hiding area.

Water: A large bowl of clean water should be provided at all times. The water should be changed daily or when it appears dirty. If tap water is used it should be treated with a tap water conditioner that removes chlorine, chloramines and heavy metals. Bottled spring water can be used instead of treated tap water.

Temperature and Humidity: The temperature in the cage can range from 75°F to 85°F (24°C to 29°C) during the day with a slight drop in temperature at night. They are tolerant of a wide range of temperatures and will do fine when temporarily kept outside of those temperature perimeters. A low wattage incandescent light bulb can be used to heat the cage. Use infrared bulbs for heating at night if needed.

The Amazon milk frog is native the humid jungles of South America and the humidity level that they are kept at in captivity should mimic that of their natural environment. To achieve high humidity, their cage can be sprayed with water once or twice a day and ventilation can be restricted. Care should be taken to avoid sealing up too much of the terrarium and creating stagnant conditions.

Food: The Amazon milk frog is a large frog with a large appetite. They will accept the normal selection of feeder insects such as crickets, wax worms, roaches and mealworms. Some adult frogs will also accept pre-killed pinky mice. The majority of their diet should consist of crickets that are the length of the width of the frog’s head. A feeding schedule of three to eight crickets every two days per frog should work well for adults. Juveniles should be fed daily. Other food items can be offered once every week or two instead of crickets. Adult frogs should have their food coated with high quality reptile vitamin and mineral supplements every two to four feedings. Juveniles should have their food supplemented more often.

Poison Dart Frogs

Poison dart frogs, members of the Dendrobatidae family, wear some of the most brilliant and beautiful colors on Earth. Depending on individual habitats, which extend from the tropical forests of Costa Rica to Brazil, their coloring can be yellow, gold, copper, red, green, blue, or black. Their elaborate designs and hues are deliberately ostentatious to ward off potential predators, a tactic called aposematic coloration.

Some species display unusual parenting habits, including carrying both eggs and tadpoles on their backs. Although this "backpacking" is not unique among amphibians, male poison arrow frogs are exceptional in their care, attending to the clutch, sometimes exclusively, and performing vital transportation duties.

Dendrobatids include some of the most toxic animals on Earth. The two-inch-long (five-centimeter-long) golden poison dart frog has enough venom to kill 10 grown men. Indigenous Emberá people of Colombia have used its powerful venom for centuries to tip their blowgun darts when hunting, hence the genus' common name.

Scientists are unsure of the source of poison dart frogs' toxicity, but it is possible they assimilate plant poisons which are carried by their prey, including ants, termites and beetles. Poison dart frogs raised in captivity and isolated from insects in their native habitat never develop venom.

The medical research community has been exploring possible medicinal uses for some poison dart frog venom. They have already developed a synthetic version of one compound that shows promise as a painkiller.

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The Red Eye Tree Frog

Type: Amphibian Diet: Carnivore Average lifespan in the wild: 5 years Size: 1.5 to 2.75 in (4 to 7 cm) Did you know? The red-eyed tree frog is also called the red-eyed leaf frog.

Many scientists believe the red-eyed tree frog developed its vivid scarlet peepers to shock predators into at least briefly questioning their meal choice. These iconic rain-forest amphibians sleep by day stuck to leaf-bottoms with their eyes closed and body markings covered. When disturbed, they flash their bulging red eyes and reveal their huge, webbed orange feet and bright blue-and-yellow flanks. This technique, called startle coloration, may give a bird or snake pause, offering a precious instant for the frog to spring to safety. Their neon-green bodies may play a similar role in thwarting predators. Many of the animals that eat red-eyed tree frogs are nocturnal hunters that use keen eyesight to find prey. The shocking colors of this frog may over-stimulate a predator's eyes, creating a confusing ghost image that remains behind as the frog jumps away. Red-eyed tree frogs, despite their conspicuous coloration, are not venomous. They are found in tropical lowlands from southern Mexico, throughout Central America, and in northern South America. Nocturnal carnivores, they hide in the rain forest canopy and ambush crickets, flies, and moths with their long, sticky tongues. Red-eyed tree frogs are not endangered. But their habitat is shrinking at an alarming rate, and their highly recognizable image is often used to promote the cause of saving the world's rain forests. Are you a fan of Red Eye Tree Frogs? Join Our Brand New Reptile Forum Click Here its Free!