Looking to start breeding amphibians [Archive]

Double J

02-28-05, 09:02 AM

Originally posted by CB Shwa
Hello
I am a newbie to amphibians but not reptiles. what types of amphibians take dead feeders? and what everyone is working with?
Thanks Chris

Very few amphibs take non-living feeders. About the only species that will are generally entirely aquatic and include but are not limited to:

1)Aquatic and semi-aquatic newts, including the genera Cynops (fire belly newts), Paramesotriton (paddle tailed newts), Taricha (California and Rough skined newts), Pleurodeles (spanish ribbed newts)

2) Fully aquatic frogs including Xenopus laevis (African clawed frog), and Hymenochirus curtipes and boettgeri (african dwarf underwater frogs)

And that is about it. Terrestrial amphibs are generally movement oriented... asnd thus will only eat moving prey. Those goofy, vibrating dishes made by exo-terra and zoo-med are useless with amphibs as well. Basically, if you keep terrestrial amphibs, you cannot avoid feeding crickets or fruit flies.
Don't forget, that amphibs are very different than reptiles in terms of care. They do not need heat lamps... as many species dessicate and overheat incredibly easily. Many amphibs actually do rather well when kept around room temperature. Live plants are a great part of keeping amphibians as well. Fake plants are alright.. but live ones are so incredibly easy to deal with in a moist environment, and with a simple fluorescent light, plants like pothos, and even more difficult ones thrive. Plus, amphibians are generally much easier on plants than most reptiles. Your choices of plants with many speceis is also broadened greatly... as many plants that would be otherwise inappropriate wth many reptiles due to unpalatability are fine for use with most amphibians.

I highly recommend the following books if you are considering keeping amphibians:

1) Newts and Salamanders by Frank Indiviglio. This book is published by Barrons and is available at most pet shops and of course online. Even if you DON'T plan on keeping salamanders... I would read this book cover to cover regardless!!!! The general non-species specific husbandry section is second to none and applies to ALL amphibians. BUY this book!! The information is invaluable. Here is a link to the book:

http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/item.asp?Item=978081209779&Catalog=Books&N=35&Lang=en&Section=books&zxac=1

2) Frogs, Toads, and Treefrogs by R.D. Bartlett. If you are intereted in a good cross section of what's available and how to care for them, this is the best general book on frog keping. Keep in mind, that some of the species specific info is a little outdated (such as the entire pacman husbandry section)... the rest is rather good. I actually have met **** and Patti Bartlett at International Amphibian Days last year in Baltimore....
and they both did a talk on herps o the amazon... it was incredibly. The Bartletts have been around forever, and have worked with just about everything. Plus, they are rather good photographers. This book is out of print though... but is still easily found in pet shops. I would suspect that they are making an updated version that will probably be published in the near future.

As for what I am working with in terms of amphbians, here is a general rundown:

12 dart frog varieties, three Mantella species, reed frogs, red-eyes, three salamander species, oriental fire belly toads, and a few others including as horned frogs and some other stuff for fun.

Darts are rather willing to breed if set-up properly and given the attention they need. I love them... and it is great having a piece of the rainforest in your house. Fire belly toads are easy to breed if given the proper cues as well. Though of course.. the financial rewards for breeding Bombina are virtually non-existant... it s still fun to do (just have lots of hydei fly cultures).

If dart frogs are what interest you, I suggest you look here:

www.understoryenterprises.com

Mark Pepper is the most knowledgeable and experienced dart frog breeder in the country. He produces fabulous stock (which most of mine comes from), and is a great guy to deal with.

Here are a few good amphibian husbandry websites:

http://www.bbrock.frognet.org/
www.caudata.org
www.doylesdartden.com

Good luck, and keep us posted with what you decide on.

Double J