Starter Amphibian

Blizzard-Lizard · 05-12-03, 07:46 AM

Hi all,
What would you all recommend as the best starter amphibian for someone who has never kept any before?
Thanks

nouserpif · 05-12-03, 07:51 PM

Well, I have heard whites tree frogs are great, and I was considering getting one soon...
Dan Conner

"Red-eye"_Matt · 05-12-03, 07:54 PM

Probably fire bellied toads. They are EXTREMELY hardy (one of ours escaped twice and is still with us) and so much fun to watch. Just my 2 cents.

Matt

Blizzard-Lizard · 05-13-03, 03:23 AM

Excellent Thanks

Alicewave · 05-13-03, 10:41 AM

Fire bellied newt

eyespy · 05-13-03, 11:00 AM

Yes, all are excellent suggestions, and so is an ornate horned frog (Pacman). That was my first "forever" herp and they are not difficult, are beautiful and very fun to feed. The main drawback is that they enjoy burrowing so you don't get to enjoy their beauty as often as you'd prefer. I found that their awesome feeding response offset that nicely and love their crazy honking voice!

05-13-03, 11:01 AM

I won't suggest an animal, I got a lil flame last time I did. But you do NOT have to begin with whatever low maintanence animal is recomended. Begin whith whatever animal you think you have the desire to keep, research and willingness to learn keep more animals alive that "hey this one is supposed to be hard to kill' attitude. I will go along with an "easier to care for amphibian" over 'starter amphibian'. Start with whatever animal intrigues you and gives you the desire to invest time into it. Usually both animal and keeper are happier.

JD@reptiles · 05-13-03, 11:25 AM

Poison dart frog...lol just kidding. i would say go to a bait shop and get a couple frogs or just go get a whites tree frog from a pet store.

Jordan

Blizzard-Lizard · 05-14-03, 02:55 AM

Well I was thinking along the lines of a poison or small treefrog. I cant remember the name of the tree frog, it is small, with lots of coulered bits, reds and blue. Sorry I just cant remember.

Blizzard-Lizard · 05-14-03, 02:59 AM

Found out its the red eyed tree frog. Are they quite hardy and not too hard to look after?

Emily-Fisher · 05-14-03, 04:23 AM

Redeye treefrogs are easy and hardy IF you k now what you are doing and are an advanced keeper. The ultimate best starter is the firebelly newt. they have great personalities and are easy and hardy and after owning one, you are ready for just about anything. Firebelly toads are great too but aren't as calm.

eyespy · 05-14-03, 10:18 AM

Redeyes have a fairly narrow comfort zone of preferred temps and humidity. Within that zone they are quite hardy but they will die quickly if too hot, cold, dry, etc. If you don't feel confident that you can keep rock-steady climate conditions it might be best to start with a more tolerant frog.

Dozer · 05-14-03, 01:55 PM

A starter frog... hmmm... I would go with some of these...

1. Bait Shop Frogs :P Mostly because you save lives, and you can make some really nice vivariums for them.

2. American Toads

Get them as tads from the wild. Its a lot of fun raising them from tads and seeing how fast a small toad can become a massive, man eating giant :P Activity level at my house with these fellas is quite high

3. Green Tree Frogs, they are green, cool looking and stick to glass. Hardy animals as well

4. Firebelly Toads , Mucho Hardy and amazingly active species. Fun to watch. Careful, these are escape artists for sure!!!!

5. Whites Tree Frog

Awesome frogs, great personalities, not THAT hardy and sleep during the day like Green Tree Frogs.

Please not that the majority of these frogs are indeed nocturnal. The only diurnal species are the Poison Dart Frogs, but I do NOT recommend these as starter amphibians.

Just my 50 cents :P