Clarence the Chubster

[MelissaB]

Farva is definitely camera shy. He likes to hide underneath his log whenever I come too close. Today I noticed him hanging out on one of the side walls, so I grabbed my phone and took a few pics.

Definitely need to get him a "real" enclosure. The bin he's in works for him, but makes it hard to observe him.

The first pic shows the yellow on his legs. The second shows him hanging out in the corner.

 

[Lathis]

Farva's a cutie! Look at the bling on those legs!

 

[MelissaB]

Farva's a cutie! Look at the bling on those legs!

Or look at the way his big ol' belly roll is pressed against the side of his tank, LOL. I'm trying to be careful how much I feed him, but he has gotten quite a bit bigger since we found him.

 

[Lathis]

Or look at the way his big ol' belly roll is pressed against the side of his tank, LOL. I'm trying to be careful how much I feed him, but he has gotten quite a bit bigger since we found him.

Hahaha I didn't want to say it, but you aren't allowed to make fun of Clarence for being chubby

 

[Mikesyring]

Love the frogs can't wait to do mine

 

[MelissaB]

Hahaha I didn't want to say it, but you aren't allowed to make fun of Clarence for being chubby

LOL I'd never make fun of Clarence. Wouldn't want to give the poor guy a complex. Now Farva doesn't care, as long as the snacks continue.

 

[Lathis]

Update: I'll post a few pics of the new cage process, then completed photos.

Step 1: Wash everything down really well and let dry. Put the EMPTY cage on whatever stand you are going to use. It will be crazy heavy with everything in it. I secured the background in place with just a few dabs of aquarium silicone.

Step 2: Add the layers. I did 1-inch deep (about 4lbs) of hydroton balls (clay drainage pebbles), a layer of drain mesh to separate the clay balls from the soil, and about 4-inches of soil. The soil was a damp, handpicked mix of 2 parts soil to 1 part cocofiber. Rinse the clay balls first. They look like cocopuffs. Try not to eat them.

(Note the highly scientific measuring device. Don't tell the hubby.)

Step 3. Prep the plants for transplanting. I am using little peat pots to give them plants some stability until their roots can grow into the potting soil. I trimmed the pots to match the depth of the soil. Pack the soil in around the plants.

Step 4: Install the moss. I bought some live moss, gave it a few damp days to get rehydrated, then carefully unfolded the sheet (it comes in a big sheet) and gently pressed it into the damp soil.

Step 5: Add some Frog related decorations like a cork tube and water bowl, vines and sticks if you have room but I left a lot of jumping space.

Step 6: Wait. This is the hard part. I let the viv sit for 2 weeks with daily mistings and a grow light to try to get everything established. Probably should have waited longer, but everything including the moss is doing well so far. Add springtails and other clean up crew fauna.

Step 7: Add the frog! Clarence was not happy with the transition, but he will adjust. Hopeful more room will improve his quality of life and make him safe, happy, and healthy.

I also have a 2.0 UVB light on his cage on a 7-7 schedule. He's in a dark corner, and adding the light has really seemed to improve his appetite and sleeping cycles.

 

[FlChamMom]

That is a really nice setup! Clarence is a real cutie, but you need to add a cham to the other corner...

 

[KLowery88]

Nice! I love planted tanks... I've been thinking of redoing my Crested Gecko's Exo terra with more variety of plants but I'm worried about disturbing the breeding colony of superworms I've somehow got going.

 

[MelissaB]

That turned out GREAT! I'm sure he's going to love it, once he gets over the move. He looks sooo cute on that cork round!

 

[Lathis]

you need to add a cham to the other corner...

Working on it!

He looks sooo cute on that cork round!

He explored the cork round a bit before settling in to pout behind it, lol. He'll cheer up when I feed him tonight. It's so much easier to get in and out of than his smaller enclosure. It will be much better for everyone for feeding and cleaning.

 

[Lathis]

FYI - that table is an Ikea end table on casters. So convenient! Right now, Ikea has several end tables perfect for an 18" cage - the LACK and the TINGBY are both great. I bought the TINGBY because of the open sides.

 

[Lathis]

It was storming a few nights back - big winds, lots of thunder. During storms, Clarence is always very vocal. I'm not sure why, but he always is. He croaked off and on all night. Around 4am, he was loud enough to wake me up from downstairs. I listened to him croak and tried to fall back asleep for about thirty minutes when the hubby half woke up.

Hubby (super sleepy mumble voice): It's time to get up.
Me (awake): No, it's still night, go back to sleep.
Hubby: I have to get up.
Me: Go to sleep.
Hubby: That's my alarm.
Me: No, that's Clarence. Go back to sleep.
Hubby: Clarence? He's cute.

Then he fell back asleep although he never *really* woke up. Next morning, he thought it had been a dream.

 

[Lathis]

 

[guanagator]

Where I live we have lots of the Green tree frogs and I always enjoy them singing in the rain. They love hunting the windows and sliding doors of the house this time of year always have to watch out so one doesn't end up squished when going in and out. This one naps around the high corners of the porch all day then moves down to the sliding door around dark.