THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT KEEPING AMPHIBIANS
Introduction
Amphibians (frogs, toads newts, salamanders and the unusual axolotl) are a
widely diverse group of cold blooded animals which, compared with mammals, birds
and reptiles, have been rather overlooked as pets. They are relatively easy
to keep and can be fascinating to study, even though not easy to cuddle or take
out for a walk!
One of the most amazing things about amphibians is how they have taken the
basic theme of being cold blooded, having a thin moist skin and needing to return
to water to breed and adapted this unpromising set of features to all sorts
of environments across the world.
But this means that different groups of amphibians need varied environments
in which to survive and thrive but some generalizations can be made. They all
need to be kept moist. Some, like the African clawed toad, live all the time
under water and need an aquarium, while the majority are terrestrial or arboreal
(tree-dwelling) species so can be kept in a vivarium with regular spraying keeping
the humidity.
Feeding
Amphibians almost invariably need to be fed live food. Most adults can be
fed invertebrates either wild-caught such as earthworms and slugs or captive-reared
such as wax moth larvae, mealworms and crickets. Aquatic species thrive on live
food sold for feeding to fish. The key in any diet is to avoid repetition, which
is boring for the animal and nutritionally unbalanced. The same can be said
for feeding only raw meat rather than whole prey items. Feeding the whole individual,
be it a small fish or an earthworm gives a wide range of minerals and vitamins
while meat on its own is low in calcium and vitamins. If larger toads and frogs
are fed on such a diet a vitamin and mineral supplement should be given.
Handling
Because of their moist and reasonably fragile skin amphibians should be handled
carefully with moistened hands or while wearing wet plastic gloves. This protects
the animal and you from any toxic substance amphibians, especially toads, might
produce. Since they can absorb chemicals through the skin it is a good idea
to wash your hands before picking them up but importantly be sure that you rinse
off any detergent.
Common problems
These include failure to feed and red leg. The former may be part of a condition
known as maladaptation syndrome. Here a host of factors are not quite right
in the environment: temperature, humidity, light and diet, all conspiring to
put the amphibian off feeding.
Anorexia merely adds to the downward spiral and unless conditions change to
mimic better the amphibian's natural habitat he is unlikely to recover.
Red leg is a skin condition which is really an outward sign of a generalized
bacterial infection. This is often related to unhygienic conditions where the
water in the virarium or aquarium is not changed often enough. Affected animals
should be removed from other members of the colony to a hospital tank where
they can be given appropriate antibiotic treatment. Such a tank can be a large
lunch box with a piece of moist foam rubber which they can climb onto or hide
under. The vivarium should be thoroughly cleaned while the sick amphibians are
undergoing hospital treatment.
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