Why Would Anyone Lick a BUFO ALVARIUS TOAD?

Sonoran Desert Toad (Bufo alvarius) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you have ever heard of the Psychedelic Toad or about people licking toads to get high, it is most likely they were talking about Bufo Alvarius. Also called the Sonoran Desert toad and the Colorado River toad, Bufo Alvarius is unique because of its venom. These large toads have glands that produce a milky white venom that is composed of as much as fifteen percent the alkaloid 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MEO-DMT). This is a powerful hallucinogen, the mind-altering effects of which were discovered in the late 1950s. 5-MEO-DMT is the active ingredient of hallucinogens used traditionally by several South American tribes.

The fact that a toad secretes a substance that can alter the human mind may lead to speculation about the "Frog Prince" fairy tale. In this folk legend, a woman finds a frog in the wild, kisses it, and it turns into a handsome prince. Could this ancient tale actually be based on fact? After all, if someone were to lick not a frog but the right kind of a toad, perhaps she might experience hallucinations that made her imagine the amphibian was transforming into a handsome prince. This theory is merely speculation, of course. In reality, licking the venom of toads or any other animal may be highly dangerous and is certainly not recommended.

Albert Most, the author of "Bufo Alvarius: The Psychedelic Toad of the Sonoran Desert" does not discuss the licking of toad venom in his text. Rather, his information involves drying and then smoking the toad venom in order to achieve what he calls "almost overwhelming psychedelic effects." These effects are evidently not unlike those generated by LSD, in which hallucinations, visual illusions and distortions of the perception occur. The episode is relatively short, however, perhaps as little as fifteen minutes, after which, Most writes, "There is no hangover or harmful effect."

It has been reported that Bufo Alvarius toads have been an element in the rituals of native shamans for hundreds of years. Returning to ancient European folklore, witches are often associated with toads. Toads supposedly give warts to people, and witches were frequently portrayed with large warts. In our more enlightened age, it is now known that so-called witches were more likewise women, possessing useful knowledge about medicinal herbs and plants. Could it be that these wise women were also aware of the powerful effects of toad venom?

Literature published by the California State Department of Fish and Game states that the problem of people trying to become intoxicated from licking the skin of toads or smoking dried toad venom is sufficiently extensive that laws against toad licking have been passed by some states, and that toad venom is currently classified as a controlled substance.

By Robert Scheer - Article Source: EzineArticles

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PACMAN FROG Care Guide

Argentine Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata)
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It may have been your favorite video game back in the 1980s, but this iconic video game inspired a unique nickname for the South American horned frog, Argentine horned frog or Ornate Horned Frog. While its real names may be a mouthful, the name Pacman Frog, is certainly easier to remember and actually helps to describe the frog. The Pacman Frog has an unusually large mouth and abdomen which make it look similar to the Pac-Man character in this popular video game.

The Pacman Frog's natural habitat is in the rain forests of Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina where it spends its time eating and hiding under leaves. This frog is certainly known for its appetite as it will try to eat anything that crosses its path. In the wild, the Pacman Frog will eat large spiders, insects, small snakes, lizards, and mice. It has sharp front teeth that allow it to devour its prey, or provide a painful bite to a human. Sometimes said to be an aggressive frog, it may actually bite if it feels threatened, but it may bite simply because it thinks that a finger is actually its next meal.

Unlike many frogs, the Pacman frog is not exactly the best swimmer and may enjoy just hanging around in shallow water, rather than swimming in deep water. The Pacman Frog has an incredible growth rate; From the time that it is born to the time that it is a fully formed adult is just 2 or 3 weeks and it will grow to 6 or 7 inches long within a few months!

If you choose to keep one as a pet, you will want to create a natural habitat for it. Keep only one Pacman frog in the enclosure, otherwise, a larger frog may end up eating a smaller one. Try to set up a very damp, warm area, similar to its natural habitat. Avoid putting deep water anywhere in the enclosure as they may drown. They need to have water but keep it shallow. Pacman Frogs love to hide under leaves in the wild and in captivity, you must provide a similar hiding spot for them. As for food, live crickets and small mice are best but remember to purchase them at a pet store. Handle the Pacman Frog as little as possible as they do no enjoy being handled and it causes them to become stressed when handled.

Whether in the wild or kept as a pet, a Pacman Frog is a beautiful and unique creature. With its large mouth and colorful skin, it is certainly a unique frog.

By Gary Phelps - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Taking Care of AFRICAN DWARF FROG - Top 3 Frequently Asked Questions

 (Hymenochirus boettgeri) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

African dwarf frogs are rewarding to keep and they can live a long time, up to 7 years. They're not a difficult pet to take care of, but there can be some confusion about what's best for them. Here are some answers to a few of the most commonly asked questions:

1. Can an African dwarf frog live with fish?

One of the most common questions is if an ADF can be kept with fish. And the general answer is, no, they shouldn't be. Frogs are generally incompatible with fish because of the conflicting care requirements. One of the main reasons is that feeding would be an issue because frogs eat from the bottom of the tank and they can be slow in finding their food. The fish would have no problem eating whatever food you mean for your frog to have, and because of that, the frog could die of starvation. Keeping your frog in a tank of its own is better all around.

2. What should I feed an ADF?

What an ADF should be fed is always a frequent question. One of the best foods you can feed your frog is frozen bloodworms. This food is full of protein, and frogs can easily find and eat it. Another option to consider is soft pellets made for aquatic frogs or turtles. Pellets are nutritious and are easy to feed since they sink to the bottom of the tank. Some foods you should avoid feeding are freeze-dried food and flakes. They tend to expand in your frog's stomach and can cause health problems.

3. How can I tell if a frog is male or female?

Another common question is how to tell the gender. Until ADFs are mature, it's nearly impossible to tell. Once mature, male frogs tend to be fairly skinny and have a light-colored bump behind their forearms. Females are usually fatter and do not have the bumps. Also, most mature males "sing" at night and females don't.

African dwarf frogs make great pets and are fun to watch. Taking proper care of them so that they live in an optimal environment doesn't have to be difficult.

For the past several years, Angela Marie has had multiple aquariums which house both fish and African dwarf frogs. ADFs are one of her favorite aquatic pets and she loves taking care of them and educating other frog owners on their proper care. Article Directory: EzineArticles

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Finding a Pet POISON DART FROG

Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates auratus) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Inhabiting countries of South and Central America like Costa Rica, Columbia, Bolivia and Peru, the poison dart frog is a stunning, bright colored frog that secretes a poisonous toxin. The science community only discovered this unique frog in the 1960's, but it has been known by tribes for many years. By the name of the frog, one might think that it is somehow able to shoot poisonous darts, but this is simply not the case. The poison dart naming comes from the fact that tribes in the rainforest used the poison on the tips of darts that they would use to subdue a threat.

The poison dart frog is not just one frog, but an entire species of frogs that contains well over 100 individual types of poison dart frogs. Usually, these frogs are quite small and measure less than 1 inch long, but some species can grow up to about 2.5 inches.

While the poison in many species of poison dart frogs may not be enough to kill a healthy human, there have been instances where the poison entered a cut or scratch which resulted in death. Their poison is quite effective in subduing their predators, however, if a poison dart frog is born in captivity, it's unlikely that they will contain any poison. The poison that is developed in the frog while out in the wild is because of it's diet of ants, termites, beetles and other insects. When they no longer eat the poisonous beetles of Central America, the toxins in their body are no longer produced, making them harmless.

Most of us are accustomed to seeing frogs at the edge of a pond, marsh or stream, but the dart frog is different. It does not have webbed feet and is therefore not a good swimmer so you won't find one of these frogs living in ponds.

Unfortunately, the Poison Dart frog is experiencing a population crisis and is on the endangered species list. Over the years, destruction of rainforest land as well as droughts in their regions, these frogs have decreased in numbers. Fortunately, pet Poison Dart Frogs are bred only in captivity and are not collected from the wild.

The bright colors of these frogs are just incredible and it's no wonder why people want to keep them as pets. With proper care, the Poison Dart Frog can live for many years in captivity.

By Gary Phelps - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Is It a TOAD or a FROG?

A young Bufo marinus (Cane Toad). Darwin, Northern Territory (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It is common for a toad to be mistaken for a frog or a frog to be mistaken for a toad. Both are, in fact, amphibians and they have similar body shapes to the untrained eye. The reality is that toads are different from frogs. Unlike most frogs, toads have dry skin, they have warts, they have crests behind their eyes and they have parotoid glands. A poisonous secretion is produced in their parotoid glands called bufotoxin. Bufotoxin can cause death in smaller animals and may trigger an allergic reaction in humans and other animals. Toads secrete bufotoxin to defend against predators, so you should avoid contact when possible.

Toads come in a variety sizes; the smallest being the Oak toad or Bufo quercicus that only reach a length of 1.3 inches, and the largest being the Cane toad that can grow up to nine inches in length. The Oak toad resides in North America while its relative the Cane toad lives in Australia.

A toad's diet and lifespan can vary as much as their size. Toads mostly eat a diet of insects and other arthropods but there are some species that feast on reptiles, small mammals and other amphibians. One species of toad, the Bufo bufo or Common toad can live up to forty years but most species only live a modest five to ten years.

Toads can be found on every continent except for Antarctica. Regardless of where they live they generally seek out the moist, open habitats of grasslands and fields. For those of you that enjoy gardening, a toad in the garden should be welcomed from a distance as they will eat harmful insects out of your garden.

Like frogs, male toads use a unique call to attract females for mating or to warn off would be male trespassers into their territory. After a successful mating, the female lays fertilized eggs that eventually hatch into tadpoles, which is also the beginning of a metamorphosis from tadpole to toad. Unlike their parents, tadpoles can breathe underwater through specialized gills and they have tails to swim with instead of legs. The tail becomes smaller over time until it disappears completely while at the same time it begins to grow legs and lose its gills and develop lungs. Although not all toads have a tadpole stage, they all need clean, unpolluted water to reproduce.

During the winter, some species of toad hibernate. They do this by burrowing deep into the soil, just below the frost line. When the weather warms up they emerge to resume their toad-like activities as if waking from a good nights sleep.

Really there isn't too much difference between most species of toad and most species of frog. The real difference is between terrestrial toads and aquatic frogs. Aquatic frogs have long, strong muscular back legs utilized for propelling through the water and leaping from the shoreline into the safety of a nearby pool. Toads back legs are designed for short hops and meandering walks.

By Christopher Lanne - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Three Popular Pet TREE FROGS

Looking for a unique pet that won't take your house over and pretend that they own it? Have you ever considered buying a pet tree frog? Sure, it may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think about a pet, but the fact is, tree frogs make great pets! Tree frogs are different from other frogs since they spend most of their time living in tall trees, rather than hanging around at a pond or creek like other frogs. The only time they usually hang around on the ground is during mating season and they can be found in many regions throughout the world. There are several different types of tree frogs that one might want to have as a pet including the White's Tree frog, Red-Eyed Tree Frog, and a Green Tree frog to name just a few.

White's tree frog (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

White's Tree Frog

Originating in the regions of Australia and New Guinea these bright green frogs make great pets. They are not overly active and do not require any special skill to care for them properly. In terms of size, the White's Tree Frog grows to around 4 or 5 inches long and they will live approximately 15 years. Unlike many frogs that hate to be picked up, the White's Tree Frog seems content with being picked up. As for food, if you're wondering what to feed the White's Tree frog, a safe bet would be crickets, meal worms, and even baby mice!

Red-eyed Tree Frog (Agalychnis callidryas), photographed near Playa Jaco in Costa Rica (retouched version). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Red-Eyed Tree Frog

Just like their name suggests, the Red-Eyed Treefrog has bright red eyes that are noticeable against the bright green color of the frog, with yellow and blue stripes. If you're looking for a unique tree frog with brilliant colors, the Red-Eyed Tree frog is a great option. Red-Eyed frogs are from the rainforests of Central American countries and Costa Rica, which means that when you have them in your home, they need to be kept warm and the air should be very humid. Feeding a Red-Eyed tree frog is easy; Just feed them crickets and they will be very content. These pet frogs will be most active at night and may sleep quite a bit during the day and are very docile.

Australien Green Treefrog - Photo: Pixabay

Green Tree Frog

The Green Tree frog originates in two different regions; the United States and Australia. The Australi

a Green Tree frog is otherwise known as the White's Tree frog as discussed above.

The American Green Tree frog is found throughout many states in the U.S including Georgia, Florida, Texas, North and South Carolina, Mississippi, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. The diet of the Green Tree frog consists of crickets, flies, worms, and moths, but they are able to go without food for over 48 hours. At 2.5 inches long, they are quite small, but the males are smaller than the females. If you are looking for an inexpensive pet, the Green Tree Frog is perfect as they are often sold for just $10 to $20.

By Gary Phelps - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Caring for your INCILIUS (BUFO) ALVARIUS TOAD

Colorado River Toad, Incilius alvarius, Syn.: Bufo alvarius (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Bufo Alvarius toad can live for quite a long time in captivity. The Sonoran Desert toad, in general, lives for five to fifteen years, but one toad lived to 36, although it was not a Bufo Alvarius. But if you have gone to all the trouble of searching the Sonoran Desert to find them, or have purchased either a single or a pair of Bufo Alvarius toads from a reputable source, such as Bouncing Bear Botanicals, you will surely want to give it or them proper care so they will live a long time and give you many years of pleasure.

The first care tip is handling. You should handle your toad as little as possible, and, especially if you have other pets in your home, always wash your hands both prior to and subsequent to touching your toad. This is because the skin of an amphibian is permeable, which is to say it is porous, and any toxic substances on your hands may easily be absorbed into their bloodstream. The reason why you should always wash your hands after touching the toad is that of the venom glands located on their head and legs. The toad venom has a milky appearance, and it may be sufficiently toxic to kill a small cat or dog. It can also cause serious irritation to eyes and nose, so make sure never to touch your face until after your hands have been cleaned following toad handling.

Toads are sensitive to light, sound, and vibrations, so their housing should be kept in a quiet place where there is not a lot of noise and goings-on. Never put their aquarium on top of a stereo speaker or TV set, or even near them, because the vibrations are not good for them. Toads are nocturnal animals. They rest in the daytime and come out at night, so the place where you house your Bufo Alvarius toad should not be too brightly lit.

Probably the best place to keep your toads would be in an aquarium of a twenty-gallon size or larger. These toads are very large and they are excellent at jumping, so make sure their aquarium has a cover that fits snugly. During the day, they like to burrow into the ground to conceal themselves, so the aquarium should have a floor made not with soil but with chunks of bark, smooth stones that are too big for them to swallow, peat moss or sphagnum moss that has been dried. These are cold-blooded animals, which means their body temperature comes from their environment, so keep your Bufo Alvarius in a place where the temperature ranges from 24° to 27° C or 75° to 80° F. Their living space should not be wet, but they do need a bowl of non-chlorinated water. They don't drink the water, but they immerse themselves in it, absorbing it through their skin.

Feeding your pet toad should not be too problematic if you live in an area where there are lots of insects such as crickets, or at least a pet shop that sells them. In the wild, they eat anything from small rodents and fish to bees, wasps, and scorpions. These Colorado River toads even eat smaller frogs and toads.

If you keep your toad's accommodations clean and comfortable and take proper steps to look after them, you should be able to enjoy the company of your Bufo Alvarius for many years.

By Robert Scheer - Article Source: EzineArticles

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COPPER RAINFROG - Pristimantis chalceus

Copper Rainfrog, Pristimantis chalceus

Image by Andreas Kay

Join me in discovering the Megabiodiversity of Ecuador

Copper Rainfrog, Pristimantis chalceus

Image by Andreas Kay

Copper Rainfrog, Pristimantis chalceus

Image by Andreas Kay

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Pet TOAD Care

Front view of Eastern American Toad. Photographed in Berks County, Pennsylvania
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There is perhaps no other creature that has been so mythologized, feared, and misunderstood as the toad. Indeed, the toad has long been associated with black magic, poison, and death. At the same time, however, toads have been considered symbols of fertility, love, and health by alchemists, gypsies, and all manner of ancient peoples. In a more modern context, toads have enjoyed increasing popularity as easy-to-keep, unique pets. With options ranging from the garden-variety American toad to the more exotic Oriental fire-bellied toad, keeping a pet toad can be an education unto itself, provided you learn the following valuable pet toad care pointers first!

While your methods of toad pet care will depend largely upon the individual needs of the species you choose as a companion, there a few basic "rules" that should be heeded. The first rule as that most toads doesn't take kindly to being held or touched. While there is no truth to the old wives' tale that says touching a toad will cause warts, it is true that toads will secrete a toxic, defensive substance from their skin when they feel threatened. To that end, you should always wash your hands if you must touch your pet toad, but you should also keep in mind that the reason your toad feels threatened in the first place is that you're many, many times larger than it is! Toads are not wired to respond to affection like a cat or dog, therefore, they are best enjoyed happily dwelling in an enclosure that resembles their natural habitat as closely as possible-an appropriately appointed living space.

Your pet toad care success depends largely upon selecting a secure, adaptable home for your toad. Aquariums are always best, whether your toad is a land-dweller or a water lover as they allow for maximum viewing potential while keeping your toad safe from harm. Outfit your aquarium with a snug-fitting mesh top that will provide adequate ventilation, and ensure that your toad has enough room to hop and swim about. A good rule of thumb is that a single medium-sized toad should be given at least ten gallons worth of aquarium. 

Nearly all toads enjoy water to some extent-some pretty much live in it, climbing out only occasionally to rest, feed, or breathe while others spend most of their time grubbing around on land, entering the water only to drink or have a little swim. Once you've learned your toad's species-specific preferences, you can devote your time to building a realistic habitat. For instance, if your toad is a native to wet forests, give him lots of leaf cover, moss, and a few lush, live plants to enjoy. If your toad is a prairie dweller, he'll need flat rocks, a stand of tall grass, and a small pool to lounge in.

As you consider your pet toad care checklist, keep in mind that you'll have to account for your toad's dietary needs, even if you're squeamish about things like insects and worms. Most toads sold in the pet store will enjoy a steady diet of crickets, provided the crickets are dusted occasionally with a vitamin-rich powder (also available at pet stores). Toads may also enjoy earthworms or wax worms. Some toads have considerably more exotic dietary needs and may need to be fed mice or goldfish to maintain their health and happiness, so always take care to consult a reputable book or salesperson before bringing your new toad home.

While owning a toad may not be for everyone, learning the ins and outs of pet toad care can make for a rewarding, unique, and perhaps even magical pet ownership experience for those who are up to the task. As you learn more and more about the varying needs, habitats, and mythologies behind these fascinating creatures, you'll soon be ready for a toad of your very own. Educate yourself well and head to the pet store. You may just return home with a new best friend.

By Barry Mcgee - Article Source: EzineArticles

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Poison DART FROGS

Photo  by cliff1066™ 

If you were to come across a poison dart frog you would probably be surprised at the size of these sometimes fatally poisonous frogs. Of course, you won't stumble across poison dart frogs, or poison arrow frogs, anywhere in the continental United States. They are normally found from Brazil to Costa Rica; throughout the warm tropical forests of Central and South America. Occasionally they can be found on particular islands in Hawaii. They're, on average, up to 1 inch long, but Golden Poison Dart Frogs can be around 2 inches. Their scientific name is Dendrobatids, and there are over 150 species of this eye-catching, toxic frog!

Recognizing Poison Dart Frogs

Poison Dart Frogs can display colors of red, blue, green, yellow, black, gold, or copper. They flaunt vibrant colors in flamboyant designs that are useful in turning away potential predators.

Scientifically, this is called aposematic coloration, which basically is when coloration is used to scare off predators. Poison Dart Frogs are very small; they are normally no longer than an inch, with few exceptions.

Reproduction

The female poison dart frog places her eggs either on land or other suitable places, such as a leaf upon completion of the mating ritual. Poison Dart Frogs' mating ritual begins with the male vocalizing a sort of mating call until a suitable female is attracted. The eggs are enveloped by a sticky, gel-like substance that is similar to jelly, and they will remain there for two weeks. The eggs are regularly checked on by a parent, though it is typically the male who assumes this task. This has to be done to ensure they don't dry out, as the parent will moisten them during each visit.

After the two weeks, the newly hatched tadpoles will be transferred onto the back of a parent... again this is normally the male. They are transported on the back, safely kept in place by a secretion that prevents them slipping off. The tadpole Poison Dart Frogs are taken to a new location such as puddles, car tires, tree holes, bromeliad, or anywhere that offers a small, wet area. This is the point where the parent leaves, and the tadpoles are left to continue growing and developing.

Toxicity

Not every species of Poison Dart Frogs are toxic, but there are some that are exceptionally toxic, and even fatal. The most toxic of the Poison Dart Frogs are the Phyllobates terribilis of Colombia. It's a bright yellow in color, and you can be harmed by simply touching it. The local population captures these frogs and drags their blowgun darts along the surface of their body to coat them in the poison, and then releases them.

Poison Dart Frogs as a pet frog?

Though you may think this, it is becoming more and more common. Poison Dart Frogs that are captive bred are non-toxic. They may not be the best suitable species if this is going to be your first pet frog, but they are far from the most difficult to care for. Poison Dart Frogs provide a beautiful addition to your home with their spectacular colorations and inhabitant. In captivity, a Poison Dart pet frog can live up to 15 years.

By Veronica A Davis - Article Source: EzineArticles

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How to Fight the Winter Blues by Raising and Keeping a TOAD As a Pet

Front view of Eastern American Toad. Photographed in Berks County, Pennsylvania
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Why do so many people dislike toads? I think it's that old misconception that if you touch one, you will get warts. I mean who wants a wart, I don't know anyone that wants one. I have loved toads since I was a child, maybe because we are both outcasts in society, I am not sure. All I know is that I would rather have a toad around me most of the time, then I would a person. At least you can understand a toad and trust them, where a human can turn on you in a second. Also, maybe it's my feelings of why do so many dislike the poor toads, just because they are toads.

Think about witches casting a spell on someone, what do they often turn a person into, a toad. They are not the prettiest of all the creatures for sure, all bumpy and warty, and to call someone a toad is not meant to be anything nice, but whenever I am called a toad, I feel as happy as can be, and take it as a compliment.

So you're interested in having a toad as a pet, and I think you have made a great choice. Everyone has cats, dogs, fish and some people even have mice, gerbils, and birds as pets, but who do you know that has a pet toad? Now, some toads are poisonous to people and other animals, so I am talking about the common American Toad, in this article, and his scientific name is; 'Bufo americanus.' Before you find yourself a toad, the first thing you will need is a home for him or her. A 10-gallon aquarium that is not being used for fish, makes a perfect dwelling place for your toad to live. Make sure you have a secured, screen lid, or your toad may hop out and escape.

The first thing you will need is the ground cover or stuff for your toad to dig in when it wishes to do so. One of the best bedding or ground cover you can fill a couple inches of the bottom of the aquarium with is called; ' Eco Earth '. It is made from coconut fiber, and it makes a perfect bedding for your toad to dig into and hop around on. Also when the toad urinates and poops, the Eco Earth absorbs and destroys odor and waste products. Although toads don't live in water like frogs mostly do, toads do love water. Your toad will need a water dish that he can climb into and sit if he feels dry, and he will also drink out of this container, just make sure your water dish is not so deep that the toad can fall in and not get out, or he will drown, and you will end up with a pet ghost toad. Some pet stores and places online have water dishes that have both a shallow and deep end, which is perfect for your toad.

You do not really need a separate dish for your toad's food unless you want to place one in its home. Your toad can eat any live insects such as house flies, small crickets, and grasshoppers, some people even like dropping a live worm or mealworms in the aquarium for their toad. You will need a supply of live insects or worms through the cold, winter season, and most live fish bait shops and pet shops have all the insects and worms you need.

Your toad will like a little place to hide in where he can comfortably seek shelter, or sit in silence while he meditates or takes a nap. Some great shelters are made by using a piece of a log that's been hollowed out and turned over, which resembles a cave. Also, you can even use a ceramic flower pot that is turned over, with a hole or piece knocked out of it, for your toad to enter easily. Again, if you cannot make a shelter for your toad, you can purchase them at pet stores and online. You can decorate your toads home with some plastic plants, or even some real ones, and add a couple nice size rocks for him to climb and set on if he wishes. In other words, make your toads home, as close as you can to resemble the natural world where he would live.

Now to find yourself a toad to use a pet, get a smaller size one, not one of the little babies that you often see, but a medium-sized toad. You want one that's big enough to eat the live insects and other things that you will feed it. One of the easiest methods to find a toad, is right after a rainstorm, go outside at night, with a flashlight and walk around near the house. Toads also love to hang around the front door at night, or someplace where there is a light, that attracts insects. Raising a toad as a pet can give you such great joy, you will wonder why you didn't have one year before, anyway it will give you something to do during the long, cold winter months, and it will help you to fight the winter blues.

By Robert Benjamin - Article Source: EzineArticles

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AFRICAN CLAWED FROGS As Pets

Xenopus laevis - Photo by      brian.gratwicke 

Over the last few years, there has been an increasing popularity of keeping frogs as pets. The African Clawed Frog is no exception. Although a little less interactive than non-aquatic frogs, they are a joy to have if you truly want a frog for a pet. Unlike tree frogs or toads, African clawed frogs are aquatic. That means that stay in the water all the time, and come to the surfaced to breathe.

Widely used for in scientific experiments, Xenopus have bread domestically for years. They were used for human pregnancy tests before more modern methods came into play. The female Xenopus was exposed to the urine of a woman, and if the frog laid eggs the woman was pregnant.

Today you can find African Clawed Frogs in many pet and discount stores including Wal-Mart. They are usually small when purchased, but can grow to be five inches in length. Some females have been reported to grow up to eight inches.

These frogs have healthy appetites and will consume almost anything in the tank. If they can get it in their mouths, they will eat it, including fish or other animals. They will even eat live aquarium plants. You can purchase specially formulated frog food at many pet stores or online. If you do not have access to frog food, they will eat floating goldfish pellets or shrimp pellets. An occasional treat of ghost shrimp or small fish is nice, but should not be considered a staple. They will also eat worms. A big juicy night crawler cut into a couple of pieces is always welcome.

Since these frogs grow at a rapid rate, an aquarium of at least ten gallons is necessary. You may want to choose large rocks instead of gravel for your aquarium. There is a chance that gravel could be ingested and cause an impaction problem.

A filter is not mandatory for frog tanks but may help to keep the water cleaner. You may also want to do partial water once a week to ensure water quality. Always keep a cover on your frog tank, because these frogs are great jumpers. If your frog were to jump out and be left unattended for an extended period of time, it would die. Their skin will dry out relatively quickly.

With the right equipment and some tender loving care, you frog will make an excellent pet for years to come. There are some reports of these frogs living for 20 to 25 years!

By Kim Horton - Article Source: EzineArticles

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The Key to TREE FROG Care is Regularity

Tree frogs, unlike the common ground frog, are any frog that spends the majority of its life in an arboreal state. Arboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees.

If one is interested in caring for tree frogs they will most likely need a vivarium (Latin, literally for "place of life") is a usually enclosed area for keeping and raising animals or plants for observation or research. This artificially controlled area can often rather successfully mimic the natural environment of the tree frog.

Waxy Monkey Tree Frogs, Phyllomedusa sauvagii at California Academy of Sciences
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sufficient planning and care are required if one is to care for amphibians in the home environment as tree frogs are easily stressed if subjected to unnatural conditions. Therefore equipment to further enhance the quality of life of the tree frog in this artificial environment has been created. Conditions such as relative humidity levels and temperature must be kept as constant as possible to successfully care or breed tree frogs at home.

In order to achieve this, some automated systems have been created to seamlessly integrate with your vivarium to make tree frog care a breeze.

If you are a first-time frog keeper then to not be alarmed by the exact figures required, keeping tree frogs at home is by no means supposed to be scientific.

To give you a little story of how getting caught up in the finer details can stop you taking the plunge and getting some tree frogs as a feature for your house.

When I first attempted to brew beer at home, I thought that the temperature had to absolutely stay between about 21 to 27 degrees Centigrade. When I actually gave it a go and I found that you could in fact successfully brew great homemade beer below that temperature.

If you happen to own a frog now and are looking for ways to give your tree frog a better life try these tips.

Frogs like regularity -

Say you have the tank in which your frog lives in your bedroom. Let's say that you leave the light on and don't go to bed until three in the morning. As you can imagine, this can be very confusing for your frog. Its body is telling it that it should be dark and out hunting. However, it's light sensing organs are letting it know that it is still day. Maintaining regular lighting patterns will make sure that you reduce the stress that you tree frog will live a happy life.

Here is another example, Let's say your frog lives in the living area. You get cold in the winter to you put the fire or heater on. I think you know where I am going with this one. What do you think that the frogs head is thinking when it is so hot in the middle of winter?

Well, it most likely does not know that season in your country but frogs like regularity and this mean a regular temperature too. Keep the temperature constantly warm and humid for your tree frog to ensure a long life. Ramping the temperature right up so it's hot and dry right after a cold period will be very stressful for your pet.

By Andrew Williums Article Source: EzineArticles

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NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG - Lithobates pipiens (Rana pipiens)

Northern Leopard Frog

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NORTHERN LEOPARD FROG

Northern Leopard Frogs (Lithobates pipiens, formerly known as Rana pipiens) are one of the listed endangered species in the world found mostly in United States as well as in several parts of Canada. They are green colored with uneven skin over the body. These True frog family leopards are highly populous and one of the loving pets in States of America.

Northern Leopard Frog - Photo by AllieKF

In an average the leopard frogs grow approximately 11 cm in size. Not to be surprised that the female frogs grows larger than the males. The lovely looking species became popularly known as ‘Leopard Frog’ since they are having dark rosettes and spots with uneven form all over their legs, body along with its back. Several creamy stripes are seen on their backs. Leopard Frog got a pair of webbed back legs that has made them as amphibians. These small animals prefer to live in the wet places like brooks, pools, wet pasture or marshland.

Being a carnivorous group of animals they are usually in the habit of taking different kinds of insects and small creatures like crickets, small fish or frog, worms, and rats. They can even swallow the animals and birds about their own size with the help of their large sized mouth. The Hawks, Herons, Skunks, Bullfrogs and Snakes kill and eat these leopard frogs. As natural phenomenons of leopard frogs are adapted that helps them for their survival in their environment. The weeded back legs provide them a good speed by covering more than two meters in every jump. They are habituated to run in a crisscross manner that enables these animals to save themselves from there predators to catch them. In the similar way they can jump on their prey from beyond a long distant place. Their body color of dark green and brown facilitates them to hide and stay in disguise form their hunters. They can make a very shrill sound helping to puzzle the captor and get themselves free.

The Leopard Frogs have a tremendous popularity among the people of Unites States to keep as a very attractive pet.   As the Leopard frogs are habituated live in reasonably in a bigger space area so providing a specious place is the primary issue. A reservoir around ten gallon can provide them a comfortable movement. The half portion of the container is to be filled with water while the other half with soil. It is essential to use only chlorine-free water for keeping these frogs.  The water is to be changed in an interval of a fortnight. They need an average temperature of 20C throughout the day. The creature should feed with small insects like flies, crickets, worms or flies etc. They like to take different fruits or vegetables occasionally.  It is important for an individual for washing the hands properly after handling these creatures.

Author: By Tom White The Author is a plumber mill hill in London and also writes about various London refurbishment tips and advice for plumbing repairs. Articles Source: EzineMarc.com Northern Leopard Frogs

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The African CLAWED FROG as a Pet

Do you have a child who is longing for a pet but can't have one because of allergies? Do you want a low maintenance pet with a long lifespan and few needs? Then the African Clawed Frog is for you.

African clawed frogs; Xenopus laevis (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The African Clawed Frog or Xenopus Laevis is a wonderful pet for people who have allergies or live in a place that doesn't allow furry pets. They also are great learning tools for schoolrooms and for children to learn about how a frog changes from a tadpole to an adult.

You can purchase a frog from Grow-A-Frog online, or from the fish section of your local department store. These frogs are used extensively in laboratories for research because of the properties of their skin. They used to be used for pregnancy detection before more sophisticated tests were available and were released into the wild in the USA when they were no longer needed. Because the frogs will eat just about anything and have a long lifespan, they started to threaten the local fish and frog populations, and are therefore not legal in some states.

Habitat

African Clawed Frogs are from the cooler places in Africa. They like to live in areas of stagnant fresh water like ponds, rivers, and pools. For your frog, you will want to buy an aquarium and allow for ten gallons of water per frog. Because your frog breathes air, the water should be six to twelve inches deep so he can swim to the surface easily. The tap water has to sit for 24 hours before you put the frog in it, or use a dechlorinator crystal you can buy from Grow-A-Frog. Frogs are happiest when the water temperature is about 74-78 degrees F, so you may need an aquarium heater. A filter can be used to keep the water clean.

Whether or not to use gravel or stones on the bottom of the tank is debatable. Some frogs will eat the gravel if it is small, and they could die. If the stones are big enough, you could put them on the bottom. Also, provide your frog with some cover to hide, with plastic plants and decorations. Don't use real plants, because your frog will destroy them.

Be sure to have a tight fitting lid on the top of the aquarium. Your frog is a master at escape and can jump right out of most places.

You don't have to use direct light or artificial light for your frog. They like indirect light the best.

Food

African Clawed Frogs are not fussy eaters. You can feed them the prepared fish pellets from Grow-A-Frog, or you can feed them brine shrimp, meal worms, guppies, or Tetra Rept-min. They will even eat the fish in your aquarium, so be careful you don't put them in a tank with little fish.

Lifespan

These frogs have an official lifespan of eight to ten years in captivity, but most African Clawed frog owners will tell you their frogs can live fifteen to twenty + years.

Care

Clean the water once a week, less if you use a filter. Feed him. Watch him (don't hold the frog; they have chemicals in their skin which may cause an allergic reaction for some people). Listen to him sing! (males sing, females don't).

Benefits

The African Clawed frog if bought as a tadpole is a great learning tool for children. They will get to watch the frog grow from tadpole to adult swimming frog. If you buy a male and a female frog, with some luck, you can watch the mating process and enjoy the babies that may result.

The male frog has interesting vocalizations for different occasions. There is the 'feed me' song, the 'I want a mate' song, and the singing for singing sake song. Both sexes use their front legs to grab and eat, and look like they are begging for more food.

If you want a non-allergic pet with interesting habits and simple requirements, than the African Clawed Frog is for you!

By Mary Casey Mary Casey is the proud owner of a sixteen-year-old African Clawed Frog named Mup. Article Source: EzineArticles

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The Latest Information On TREE FROGS

There are many cool and interesting facts about our great planet Earth that many people don´t ever take the time to think about. If you could, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Visualize planet Earth and think about all the different landscapes that make the world so beautiful. Now think about the animals and creatures that roam through these amazing landscapes. After doing this, I bet you never once pictured the great tree frog in any of the scenic images you had created in your imagination. Well, if you did, your the one out of a few thousand who might have thought of a tree frog. Regardless, tree frogs exist in our world and there a lots of different types of them.

Gray tree frog
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tree frogs are slimy yet they are pretty interesting little reptiles. There are many different classifications that frogs belong to; tree frogs are frogs that are of the families Hylidae and Rhacophoridae. A thing that you probably don´t know is that many tree frogs don´t even dwell in trees. When it comes to tree frogs, there are arboreal frogs, terrestrial frogs, and aquatic frogs. Aroboreal frogs are tree frogs that live up to their name and live in trees. The terrestrial frog lives and roams on the ground, and I bet you can figure out that a aquatic frog lives in the water. The Arboreal tree frogs are more green while the other two types of tree frogs are more dull looking, like the color brown.

Tree frogs essentially chew on insects and other little invertebrates, creatures without a spinal cord. The bigger frogs though can chomp down on a good vertebrate creature however. The great tree frog roams in almost every region of the world. There are the European tree frogs, known as the Hyla Arborea, are usually found in the middle or southern part of the United States and in parts of Asia and North Africa. The American tree frog, also known as the Hyla cinerea, can be spotted in Northern America. There is a really cool type of American tree frog known as the Hyla versicolor because it is completely grey. There are other old world tree frogs that dwell the regions in India, Sri Lanka, China, South Eastern Asia, Indonesia, Japan, and as well in the West Indies.

Tree Frogs are more common then those other animals yo may have envisioned at the beginning of this article. Next time when closing your eyes and picturing the animals and creatures of the world, hopefully you´ll think of the great tree frog. If it is in the spring and summer evening time, you may not need to close your eyes to think about tree frogs. Several different types of tree frogs begin to croak really loud during this period when rain is about to approach. That means tree frogs are really smart as well because they can predict the weather. There are countless different types of tree frogs in the world that inhabit different areas and make the world the world we know it to be today.

Submitted by: Andrew Scherer About the Author: Written by Andrew Scherer. White's Tree Frogs can make great pets. Check out the White's Tree Frog Care Sheet for more information. Source: www.isnare.com Permanent Link: https://www.isnare.com/?aid=223635&ca=Pets

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