05-01-2011, 06:05 PM
Can it be done ?
Yep.
The most important considerations when leaving frogs unattended, over food even, are Humidity and proper temperature.
1. Adequate Humidity - Not too dry or prone to drying out is simply the most important issue. You cannot totally seal your enclosure. Sealing fully is always bad and usually fatal.
2. Proper Temperatures - Taking care not to cook, or freeze your animals, still more important consideration than food.
3. Finally, #3 on the list - Food
What are some time frames that I'm aware of, and have personally used? I have personally used 5-7 days, easily for well started froglets and over 7 days for adults. Based on what I've heard discussed by others, is that both of those time frames could conceivably be close to doubled - @10 days, provided one is diligent about pre-feeding and the other issues.
The better option would be for some trusted person to watch over the animals in the house - that way temps ect can be better monitored. I realize that there will always be times where this is not possible, but again, it remains the best and safest option, IMO.
What I do, prior to leaving is to "pre-feed" the collection or, feed really heavy for at least 2-3 days prior. Fatten em up. That's always helpful.
Another good idea, especially with the smaller frogs - thumbs and froglets, is to dump large amount of springtails and even some Isopods, into the viv to help out. I make sure that there is multiple layers of Leaf Litter and a good sized wood feature or two to assist with helping to maintain the microfauna.
"Vacation Feeder" Deli cups. A number of people use the 32oz clear delicups with either small holes poked in the lid or even round plastic crotchet disks to fit perfecting into the culture cup top, in place of a lid. These round disks are found at craft stores like Michaels. This way, the fruit fly culture can be placed directly into the viv and FF can continue to breed and hatch and the small holes will allow the FF and sometimes event the larvae (yum) to crawl out in stages, or with a slight delay, becoming a very nice time delayed vacation feeder. And the key is the screen / small holes, will prevent the frogs from being able to get into the cup and mess up the fly culture.
Care must be taken not have temperatures become too high coupled with a totally sealed vivarium .I have heard horror stories about CO2 gas build up in these conditions, and I wonder if a yeasty culture can actually contribute to this as well.
Yep.
The most important considerations when leaving frogs unattended, over food even, are Humidity and proper temperature.
1. Adequate Humidity - Not too dry or prone to drying out is simply the most important issue. You cannot totally seal your enclosure. Sealing fully is always bad and usually fatal.
2. Proper Temperatures - Taking care not to cook, or freeze your animals, still more important consideration than food.
3. Finally, #3 on the list - Food
What are some time frames that I'm aware of, and have personally used? I have personally used 5-7 days, easily for well started froglets and over 7 days for adults. Based on what I've heard discussed by others, is that both of those time frames could conceivably be close to doubled - @10 days, provided one is diligent about pre-feeding and the other issues.
The better option would be for some trusted person to watch over the animals in the house - that way temps ect can be better monitored. I realize that there will always be times where this is not possible, but again, it remains the best and safest option, IMO.
What I do, prior to leaving is to "pre-feed" the collection or, feed really heavy for at least 2-3 days prior. Fatten em up. That's always helpful.
Another good idea, especially with the smaller frogs - thumbs and froglets, is to dump large amount of springtails and even some Isopods, into the viv to help out. I make sure that there is multiple layers of Leaf Litter and a good sized wood feature or two to assist with helping to maintain the microfauna.
"Vacation Feeder" Deli cups. A number of people use the 32oz clear delicups with either small holes poked in the lid or even round plastic crotchet disks to fit perfecting into the culture cup top, in place of a lid. These round disks are found at craft stores like Michaels. This way, the fruit fly culture can be placed directly into the viv and FF can continue to breed and hatch and the small holes will allow the FF and sometimes event the larvae (yum) to crawl out in stages, or with a slight delay, becoming a very nice time delayed vacation feeder. And the key is the screen / small holes, will prevent the frogs from being able to get into the cup and mess up the fly culture.
Care must be taken not have temperatures become too high coupled with a totally sealed vivarium .I have heard horror stories about CO2 gas build up in these conditions, and I wonder if a yeasty culture can actually contribute to this as well.
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"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana".