steikheigel Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 lost one of my little whistlers today &c:ry seemed a bit sluggish last night and this morning, belly up this afternoon. but why? looks healthy enough (asides from being dead), fat ish, colour normal. another one a bit sluggish this arvo. Dark colour but has been under a rock so that might not be a hint, might just be that its day and cold so slow. Perhaps they need to be somewhere warmer? hope i don't loose them all!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 Are they showing a pinkish tint to the belly and inside back legs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steikheigel Posted March 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 Nope, bellies silvery brown as usual and yellow inner thigh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 i know they survive outdoors and tolerate the cold amazingly well. but last year over winter i lost the majority of my whislters (indoors; coldest room in house), one by one; frogs looked healthy so had me a little baffled. trying to come up with a clue as to what was going on, it lead me to wondering why the frogs appeared to be sitting at the top of the exo terra setup, up near the fluro; surely its the warmest spot, but these frogs like the cold? hmm maybe they would bask if a little heat lamp was applied. outdoors: even in winter when the sun comes out, it is enough to warm a frog; aid in digestion and so on; something that maybe lacking in my setup ... put a 20watt desk lamp above the top of the setup in one corner. Sure enough frogs basking often and I havent noticed a dead one since. was hardly conclusive, just something i found interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 They survive down here even over winter in the frost so they can handle the cold. What have you been feeding them? I lost a few L. aurea when I fed them mealworms and I think they died of compaction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steikheigel Posted March 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 Am in Dunedin and it's been a bit chilly the last few nights, but they are inside so it shouldn't have been too bad. Have a light somewhere, worth a try but i thought whistlers were nocturnal so would they bask? Food wise they are mostly pigging out on fruitflies but get whatever flies past really (small flies, moths etc...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 About now the frogs will be starting to brumate so they will stop eating and become pretty dormant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 almost a frost this morning. whistlers were chirping in the distance, a couple of hours ago. recall reading somewhere many moons ago, they brumate/go dormant in the heat of the summer, not winter. (i could be wrong, havent got time to check) is weird hearing frogs whistling on a frosty morning though i must admit mealworms ok, done trials. they just not the best. i feed crickets and mini-mealworms. mealworms every few months when i order them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted March 28, 2011 Report Share Posted March 28, 2011 Reptiles generally brumate over winter when there is less food and less heat to help them get theit metabolic rate up to digest food. My L. aurea brumated last winter for a few months inside at about 16 to 18 degrees. My lizards are brumating at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insect Direct Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 i cant find the article i mentioned earlier. from memory was along the lines of when too hot they burrow. anyway cant find it so it doesnt exist this is interesting: http://www.nzfrogs.org/site/nzfrog/file ... llance.mp3 they can survive being frozen solid. can call at 2C in a blizzard: that's impressive. have only just started hearing the whistlers around here over the last couple of weeks, nothing at all over summer. I was starting to think they'd moved on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
repto Posted March 29, 2011 Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 when too hot and dry they estivate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steikheigel Posted March 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 29, 2011 The one that was looking a bit dopy diddnt make it but on the upside the other 3 are looking great, currently chasing fruitflies with great enthusiasm Still not sure whats going on, hope it's all good now. Might just be one of those things but it would be nice to find a cause to make sure it doesn't happen again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ruru Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 My Whistlers have energy saver light on during the day which also produces some heat. Most days there is at least one frog basking underneath. The lack of basking opportunity could prevent digestion or prevent calcium absorption. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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