Rodents in Horned Frog, Af Bullfrog diets

[findiviglio]

I don't use many rodents in the diets of Horned Frogs or African Bullfrogs (or other lg species) but many report good results by doing so. What's your opinion? Please see this article (Has 2 parts) for some thoughts/ideas. Thanks, Frank

[arielgasca420]

I have a few frozen mice left and then I wont be feeding them to my frogs. I have seen how feeder rodents are treated behind the curtain. The feeder mice are usually kept in poor conditions with a lack of nutrition. They eat some sort of dry pellet food and live in their own filth. For me I would rather raise my own food so I started a dubia cockroach colony. I am thinking of starting a colony of gryllus assimilis, but crickets are smelly and loud. I use nightcrawlers as well, but I have been unsuccessful at breeding them in CA. I feed my frogs a little bit of crickets and worms everyday. they are maintaining a proper weight right now and are very active eaters.

[findiviglio]

I have a few frozen mice left and then I wont be feeding them to my frogs. I have seen how feeder rodents are treated behind the curtain. The feeder mice are usually kept in poor conditions with a lack of nutrition. They eat some sort of dry pellet food and live in their own filth. For me I would rather raise my own food so I started a dubia cockroach colony. I am thinking of starting a colony of gryllus assimilis, but crickets are smelly and loud. I use nightcrawlers as well, but I have been unsuccessful at breeding them in CA. I feed my frogs a little bit of crickets and worms everyday. they are maintaining a proper weight right now and are very active eaters.

Hi, thanks for your comment. I've been around labs, rodent breeders etc., and you make a good point. An occasional pinky is fine, but mice in general are not, in my experience, an ideal food for large frogs. Crickets are as you say, also very hard to breed un less you have lots of space and time. Minnows, shiners etc. are a great calcium source, which is sometimes a problem when ivert only diets are used, even with supplementation (esp for growing frogs). Nightcrawlers ideal, and easily gut loaded by mixing calcium into fish flakes and other foods that they eat. Is temperature a problem? Even if they do not breed, if you can keep cool and feed for a few days you'll up their calcium levels. Please see this article on earhtworm rearing; generally applies to nightcrawlers. Roaches (roach care) great, you can also order live silkworms and perhaps consider canned insects. Are you able to collect insects?..some concerns, but good payoffs as well. Please see this article, and others linked there, or write back and I'll send more. Thx again, enjoy, Frank

[arielgasca420]

I have always been cautious with wild caught insects. I have grasshoppers in my organic garden so I will use those when they are big enough. I do not go out into fields because I am afraid of possible parasites and also insecticides. A lot of people in my neighborhood use heavy and unregulated amounts of insecticides and herbicides.
As far as the canadian nightcrawlers go, it is too hot here in CA. My house is usually at 75 degrees. I plan to try canadian nightcrawlers in the winter.
I am still on the fence about breeding crickets because I bred the crazy red head assimilis and a few got out into my backyard when I would clean out their containers. Now my neighbors have an infestation of these crickets and there are an overwhelming amount of frogs in their backyard.
Thank you for posting the links. They were very helpful to me.

[findiviglio]

Thanks for the feedback. There are many legitimate concerns re wild insects, but ways around potential problems as well. But never risk free.

A friend in Louisiana keeps nightcrawlers in a commercial cooler for 2 days, to allow them to feed. He buries 3-4 freezer packs in earth and dead leaves to keep temps down; or you can just store in frig and coat with supplements. Tests run by our nutritionists years ago showed that several batches of worms came in with a near ideal Ca: Phosphorus ratio, and that they were fine to use right away. Nutrients will vary with diet, of course, but I find them to be a valuable food item, esp for large amphibs, and so always find a way to keep on hand.

Re parasite and pesticide transmission, you might enjoy:
Wild Caught Invertebrates as Reptile and Amphibian Food - Some Concerns | That Reptile Blog and Wild Caught Invertebrates as Reptile and Amphibian Food: Pesticide Concerns - Part 1 | That Reptile Blog.

Best, Frank