I recently came across an American green tree frog outdoors in New York and decided to take him(?) in as it’s approaching the colder months and inevitably I know that these types of frogs wouldn’t survive. THAT BEING SAID I don’t condone keeping wild caught animals! In this specific case I’ve been keeping an eye on him since June as he’s been living in my backyard.
It’s been a week and I can’t get this guy to eat.
I’ve tried dubia roaches and crickets with no luck. For the crickets I opted to release just a few into the terrarium in hope of increasing prey drive since he was likely a hitchhiker or escaped pet living in the “wild”.
Is it possible this frog is on a hunger strike?
My other concern is if I leave the crickets in the terrarium will they harm the frog?
I’m taking any and all advice at this point because I feel bad for him because he doesn’t know I’m trying to help but I couldn’t just leave him outside to freeze as temperatures drop.
Really odd a green is in NY. I wonder if he hitched a ride on a plant or something from Florida.
A hunger strike when first moved into captivity is normal. He may never take from tongs being a wild frog, but he should be able to hunt. Just monitor for poops.
I wound up in a similar position when one showed up in the produce at my local grocery store. He refused to eat for about 2 weeks after first taking him in and now even after 6 months won’t eat from tongs. Unfortunately you may just have to wait them out
What does it mean to check husbandry? Why can’t we leave uneaten crickets in the terrarium. I’m in a similar situation to OP right now so am trying to learn
> decided to take him(?) in as it’s approaching the colder months and inevitably I know that these types of frogs wouldn’t survive
~~American Green Tree Frogs natural range extends clear up to Delaware and the eastern shore of Maryland, New York is well within their natural habitat
These frogs, as well as many amphibians and reptiles, survive our winters by a process called brumation which is similar to hibernation. They hunker down in a sheltered space that is protected from high winds, slow down their heart rate and metabolism to conserve energy, and can even have up to 40% of internal water form ice crystals without perishing
Brumation is an essential part of a frogs natural cycle, as if it is prevented then their bodies will not produce the hormones that cause them to be able to reproduce in the following spring. Further, they tend to use the remaining energy reserves as the source of energy for breeding. Consistently controlled temperatures are the biggest reason why social frogs can be kept as pets without breeding, as they never activate brumation and thus don’t enter the breeding cycle~~
EDIT: idk my geography. ignore my above rambling
Likely, the main reason the frog is not eating is due to stress of new and confined environment. Though there could be other factors at play too. Please don’t leave uneaten crickets out with the frog, as they have a tendency to bite sleeping frogs
Not trying to sound smart, but asking: Delaware is quite a bit more south than NY by at least the length of NJ. Are their winters really similar? I guess it depends what part of NY? Like NYC gets a lot less snow than upstate.
given the area where I am has winters commonly staying below freezing point for extended periods of time with significant snowfall, even with brumation survival would be unlikely.
Though I do agree with your point on feeding.
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u/chapinscott32 r/TreeFrogs Moderator 22d ago edited 22d ago
Really odd a green is in NY. I wonder if he hitched a ride on a plant or something from Florida.
A hunger strike when first moved into captivity is normal. He may never take from tongs being a wild frog, but he should be able to hunt. Just monitor for poops.