A Frog with a Deathwish

[Chameleons Northwest]

We've been observing this frog in our Melleri free range the past several weeks. The Meller's see the frog but seem to make no attempt to eat it. (note: Megana is white-ish because she is seemingly gravid. And that's not edema- that's the base of Megana's gular thrust out a bit.)

Here is the little frog sitting under part of Hercules' shower spray:

But on one particular day he decided to get a little reckless. I noticed Megana had her gular extended a bit and was glaring at something (giving it the ole Melleri squinty eye). I approached and saw that the little frog was down at her eye level and was observing her and hopping closer. I grabbed the camera in time to see them go eye to eye- and then the little frog hopped onto Megana's back!

In this photo the frog is sitting on one of the Meller's partitioning rags.

Here he is inching closer.

And a little closer

And on to her back

I am guessing he probably thought she was a really cool looking rock to rest on. And, then, once he hopped onto her she probably vibrated at him pretty good- because he immediately hopped off.

 

[ColorCham427]

haha LOL. That's awesome, she is HUGE!!!

 

[SoCaliSon]

This is great!!! Reminds me of a childrens book!

 

[Sang]

that is one BRAVE frog!!!..

looks like a little tree frog of sorts, not sure on the variety, i don't think it'd be toxic/venomous... but lol id still relocate him..

 

[royden]

What a great little series of photos! thanks Sandy.

Arg! Kicking myself for not having time to visit your project this weekend.

 

[macro junkie]

all i see is box with red cross..no pics

 

[BocaJan]

And such nice, neat looking red crosses! LOL I can't see the pics either.

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

And such nice, neat looking red crosses! LOL I can't see the pics either.

all i see is box with red cross..no pics

Sorry. It is time we switched web space host. We use 1and1, and the down time is getting ridiculous. I am on hold with 1and1 right now, trying to get to the bottom of this.

Well, my photos are back up, and I think 1and1 is going to switch our account to a more reliable server.

that is one BRAVE frog!!!..

looks like a little tree frog of sorts, not sure on the variety, i don't think it'd be toxic/venomous... but lol id still relocate him..

I guess I should remove the little frog. But our chams have been watching them for a few weeks now, and it seems to provide some enrichment for them. I was just in there a few minutes ago, and noticed another, much smaller, frog in their range.

 

[macro junkie]

i see the pics now..great pics..a very silly frog..lol

 

[bucky]

Thats cool! I guess as long as he doesnt eat her crickets for her, hes no harm. Maybe if she sees him eat the crickets,she might eat him, sort of a 2 in 1 thing

 

[Kat77]

That is way too cute. Maybe they'll all become friends and live happily ever after. That shot with the frog on Megana's back and her squinty glare is priceless.

 

[Chuck G]

Hands down,the best thing I have seen on here lately!

 

[Fidel]

That's awesome that you were able to get the camera in time.

I think that's a pacific tree frog. I don't think it would too be bad if your Mellers ate one when you weren't around. Toads are what you want to be sure they don't eat.

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

That's awesome that you were able to get the camera in time.

I think that's a pacific tree frog. I don't think it would too be bad if your Mellers ate one when you weren't around. Toads are what you want to be sure they don't eat.

You nailed it- it does appear to be a Pacific Tree Frog. I love the eye liner and lip line, though he didn't have a very steady hand when applying it!

 

[Fidel]

I'm surprised the frog being green didn't make your mellers want to eat it. Mine goes nuts for green katydids.

 

[Julirs]

Everytime I look at Megana I look over at Major and think, "Holy cow-look at your MOM-you are going to be HUGE!"

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

UPDATE:

The frog is still hanging out with our Meller's. It's been weeks now. We even moved the Melleri free range to the next room. The little frog came out onto a windowsill to see what was going on, so we moved him, too. He now showers and basks with the big guys. He likes to sit up on the highest perch (above the plants) with Megana. The first photo is their new free range. The second photo is a close up taken about a minute later. They seem to be pals. It really is like a children's book.

 

[panthercham]

That last photo of the frog and cham on the branch just looking at each other is a classic!

 

[summoner12]

haha thats silly. Melleri are great animals. I do love watching my Melleri do their thing.

 

[Sang]

Keep us pdated, such a silly frog. and very funny thing to see him just eye to eye with the beast.



ok lizard, you stay on your side, ill stay on my side...no funny movements