Nepenthes + tree frogs

[zero742]

I am planning out a new terrarium. I was wondering if a tree frog would damage the nepenthes at all? The nepenthes leaves are between 3 and 5 inches long. I wouldn't think they would, but I figured I'd double check. Thanks!

[tom499]

I've seen terria with frogs in along side nepenthes and other plants and apart from excreting on the leaves they'll leave them untouched

How big will your tank be? and what nepenthes will you be growing?

[zero742]

As it stands now, it will be a baby Nepenthes maxima. It will be in an exoterra 12"x12"x18" terrarium. Its actually my crested gecko's old home. I know the Nepenthes will outgrow the terrarium eventually, but it needs a home and my crestie just got a new one!

[zero742]

Also, I was thinking about picking up a blacklight to put in the fixture. Does anyone know if any Nepenthes or Sarracenia species have any markings in the UV? Just curious.

[pikevi]

I am not sure if it be wise to use UV light with a frog in the tank. The frogs are very sensitive to UV rays. Anton has been involved in frog studies and he should be able to tell you more or at least direct you to where you could get more info.

Good luck with your terrarium. I have two of them but no 'animals' in either of them yet.

[zero742]

I completely forgot about the frogs and UV. I wasn't planning on it being too intense of a light, but I have no hands on experience with frogs. Hopefully Anton or someone else might have some insight?

[pikevi]

I know for sure (from another context) that fogs (tadpoles) and lambs(kids) are the first to be affected when there is an increase in UV ray content in our atmosphere.

I will try and get you some appropriate references, if possible.

Hold off on adding the black light until someone OKs it.

[zero742]

Thanks for the heads up. Will do.

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by zero742

Also, I was thinking about picking up a blacklight to put in the fixture. Does anyone know if any Nepenthes or Sarracenia species have any markings in the UV? Just curious.

The Carnivorous Plants by Juniper, Robins and Joel shows some great shots of carnivorous plant traps taken with UV film. I remember Sarra's being one of the genera shown but I'm not sure about Neps. I don't know whether the patterns would show up under blacklight (I suspect not).

[tom499]

Incase you were going to, I wouldnt recommend growing Sarra's in a terrarium, they do much better outside, as they only really grow well under strong varied wavelength lights, which would probably be too strong for your frogs or Nepenthes.

[digitalgate]

i still remember the mutated frog in Minnesota.

[zero742]

Agreed on the Sarra's mixed in with the rest of the bunch. I do have on Sarra right now in one of my terrariums(See attached). Its growing like a weed. I have full spectrum lighting above it though, so it does great. Ignore the newspaper on the edges of the dome. I need to take it off. I ended up having to build the dome because of the Sarra actually .

Also, I'm just going to nix the blacklight idea. Thanks for the advice!

[Debbie Hayden]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

i still remember the mutated frog in Minnesota.

What are you talking about, digitalgate?

[tom499]

Looks like one of them is S. purpurea which can take semi arctic conditions

I'm sure you'll be wanting to stick them outside soon to replace with tropical delights soon

[m3phist023]

Deformed Frogs in Minnesota - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Here's a website for you, Debbie. I guess they found a bunch of mutant frogs with extra limbs in Minnesota in 1995. Pretty eerie.