Good frogs for a desk top viv

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Experiment397

Experiment397

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
Feb 26, 2010
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Probably the Poly section
What are some good frogs for a desk top viv. It will prob be a 5 or 2.5 gal. It will be unheated so no mantellas or darts. I want to get something oil looking that I can use in my presentations on animal adaptations for the elementary school. I was looking into some of the really camouflaged ones like Vietnamese Mossys and some of the pacman subspecies. Or some with defensive colors like bumblee bee toads or tomato frogs. Tree frogs are out of the question because the tank may be built into the desk top so you look down and see frogs jumping around under the desk in a little enclosure.


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You're going to be pretty limited by the size of the enclosure and the temperatures you have to work with.

Of the mentioned species, the bumblebee toad is the only viable option for that size of enclosure and temperature range. They're content at 70-80°F and can survive low temperatures in the mid-40's. The recommended minimum enclosure size is five gallons, and said enclosure can comfortably house a pair.
 
Just to clarify the tank will be short and fat. Prob only 4" or 5" tall but a lot wider with more surface area for the frogs/toads then normal. I might use a modified Rubbermaid tub which would be around the dimensions of 26x18x4.5" or if my supports to hold it to the desk are strong enough a 30x24x5" the idea is its a giant wall to wall wood plank desk with a glass piece over it and I want to cut a hole in the wood and stick the tank in it so you look down through the glass and get an Ariel view of the tank. That's why I was thinking frogs like pacmans, tomatos, budgetts and bumble bee toads they don't need much height just a place to sit or hide. The main thing is there will be no electricity to the tank so no heat or filters just a water change every day and a misting as needed. I originally was going to use scorpions or roaches for this but my Scorp froze and my roaches are too shy for it to make a good display.


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Pacmans, tomatoes and budgetts will obviously not work. They may be comparatively inactive, but to cramp one into a 5 gallon is pretty insane.

Why use Rubbermaid containers for a table display? Those tend to be more utility and less aesthetic.
 
firebelly toads or native species would be your best bet. frogs do not usually make good "desktop pets" though, they require very specific environments and lots of care.
 
snakeguy101 said:
firebelly toads or native species would be your best bet. frogs do not usually make good "desktop pets" though, they require very specific environments and lots of care.
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Yeah he's right. Plus firebelly toads are pretty cool looking. If you wanna get a bigger tank then you could get a pacman frog which imo are awesome. I would go for a 10-15 gallon tank for a pacman frog if you decide on a bigger tank but bigger is always better. But since you are probably not going to upgrade in tank size then a firebelly toad or 2 would be perfect for your tank imo. Kids love them too so they would be good for a presentation like you said.
 
Ok. I'll keep you updated on how it goes. I won't be putting it together for a while, I have to build the desk first. But i wanted to be able to do as much research as possible. If I can I may still go with my original plan of scorpions. Do you think they would do better?


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I also forgot to point out that mantellas actually are a highland species that will go into heat stress at around 78 degrees. Most species need 68-72 Fahrenheit. The mantellas I was thinking where either goldens, barons or blue legged. All are species needing colder temps. Just though I should point that out since it was brought up that they all need heat


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emperor scorpions are a much better choice for what you are proposing.
 
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