Amphibian
Husbandry and Nutrition
Ami Krasner
NCSU-CVM
Class of 2010
Goals for today
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Amphibian Basics
Handling
Housing
Environmental Control
Nutrition
Amphibian Basics
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Ectothermic vertebrates
3 Chambered heart
Glandular Skin
Cryptic
Scaleless
Metamorphosis
• Aquatic to land
• TH dependent
• Primary Changes:
-Legs
-Lungs
-Eyes
-IT
-Tail (anurans)
-Skin
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/art/tadpole-to-frog.gif
Metamorphosis Exceptions
• Environmental stress induction
• Terrestrial egg metamorphosis
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,356774,00.html
Timeline for Metamorphosis
• Weeks to years
• Species and environment dependent
Taxonomy-Three Orders
• Caudata
• Anura
• Gymnophiona
Caudata
• 10 families,
>500 species
• N./S. America, Europe, Asia
• Common Pets:
-Ambystoma
tigrinum (Tiger
Salmander)
-Ambystoma
maculatum
(Spotted Salamander)
-Cynops pyrrhogaster
(Fire Bellied Newt)
http://michaelcravens.com
Salamander vs. Newt
http://www.washingtonnh.org/
firstfriday.files.wordpress.com/2008/02/
http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/NIM/AF397~
Drop-of-Water-Posters.jpg
Salamander vs. Lizard
• Water requirements
• Skin
• Eggs & young
AMPHIBIAN VS. REPTILE
Anura
• 33 families,
>5000 species
• Worldwide*
• Common Pets/Research:
-Xenopus spp. (African clawed frog)
-Rana spp. (Leopard frog)
-Dendrobates spp. (Poison arrow
frog)
-Hylidae family. (Tree frogs)
http://www.johnelkington.com/weblog/african_clawed_frog_500w.jpg
Frog vs. Toad
http://www.isd12.org/bhe/
http://64.226.23.133/woodycarr/images/toad.jpg
-Water
-Skin
-Leg length and power
-Predators
Gymnophiona
• 6 families,
172 species
• Pantropic
• Not kept
as pets
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/149/415329423_cd21aeb1cb_o.jpg
Order Differences
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Limbs
Tails
Vision
Fertilization
Owning an amphibian
• Research and Plan!!!!!
LIBRARY!!!
• KNOW Natural History
Owning an amphibian
• Life Span: up to 55 years!
• Aggressive vs. Friendly
http://www.maroochy.qld.gov.au
Size-Largest
-Chinese Giant Salamander-up to 180 cm
-Goliath Frog-up to 32 cm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2008
www.sandiegozoo.org
Size-Smallest
SmallestThorius sp. - 15 mm.
Eleutherodactylus sp.- 10 mm
http://www.state.tn.us/twra/tamp/salamanders.htm http://www.science.psu.edu/alert/FROG.htm
Pet Trade Restrictions
• Within the U.S.:
ex. African Clawed Frog
• CITES listings
-Appendix I= 16 spp.
~Giant
Salamanders
-Appendix II- 98 spp.
~Dendrobates
www.cites.org
Handling Concerns-Amphibian Skin
• Permeable
-gloves
-nicotine
-cleaning supplies
• Delicate
• Secretion
Nicotine Toxicity
• Tadpole and hypercapnic challenge
-Brain stem: ventilation
-Surfacing frequency
• Systemic vasodilation
• Melanocyte Activation
http://www.puregreen.com.au
Handling-Restraint
• Caudata Goals:
-Support and comfort
-Netting
-MS-222
-Avoid tail and gills
http://aqualandpetsplus.com/Amphibian,%20Salamander.htm
Handling-Restraint
• Anura Goals:
-Support and comfort
-Netting
-MS-222
-Avoid kicking out
www.uwm.edu/Dept/EHSRM/ACP/MANUAL/Frog2.jpg
Handler Concerns
• Scratches and bites
• Infectious disease
• Toxic secretions:
-Irritant
-Hallucinogens
-Consultants
-Vasoconstrictors
-Neurotoxin
Toxin Uses
• For people:
-Weapon (poison dart frogs)
-Pharmacology (pain killers, psychoactive)
• For the animal:
-Defense
(unpalatable,
paralysis)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anura#Poison
Toxins
• Aposematism and mimicry
• Curious Dogs
-Symptoms: foaming mouths, shaking,
vomiting, diarrhea
• Derived from:
-Diet
-Alkaloid manufacture
http://www.gilroydispatch.com
Gender Determination
• Most not sexually dimorphic
-Size
-Color
• Observe courtship
• Candling abdomen for eggs
http://www.xlaevis.com/sexing.html
Gender Determination
Females
• More rotund body shape
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
Gender Determination
Males
• Caudata
Crests, bright colors, tail swellings in
some during breeding season
• Anura
Vocal sacs, nuptial pads during
breeding season
http://www.xlaevis.com/sexing.html
Accommodations
Housing
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Vivarium basics
Enclosure Design
Substrate
Ground cover
Plants
Retreats
Water
Location
http://www.darkroastedblend.com
Materials for Housing
• Glues and Sealants approved for aquaria, Avoid others
including:
-Coal-tar based sealants: PAH and amphibian larvae
-Dental Sealants: Bisphenyl A
• Plastic or Glass Material, Avoid Metals
-Hg, Cu, Al, Zn, Fe
www.everythingforpets.com/
Housing Considerations
• Hinged lid
• Small holes
• Striking behavior
Enclosure Design Options
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Aquatic Pond
Aquatic Stream
Stream-Side
Terrestrial
Terrestrial Fossorial
Arboreal
http://www.blackjungle.com/terrarium2.jpg
http://www.amphibiancare.com
http://www.brianstropicals.com/building.htm
l http://www.amphibiainfo.com
Substrate Options
• Medium-grade gravel
-Size and texture
• Soil and Sand
-Parasites
-Fertilizers
• Moist paper
Substrate-Functions
• Camouflage
• Bio filter
http://www.uvm.edu
Ground Cover Options
• Moss or leaf litter
• Sphagnum vs.
Sheet Moss
• Rocks
Ground Cover-Functions
• Enrichment
• Security
• Breakdown Waste Products
www.driedflowersrus.com
Plants-Benefits
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Cover/Rest spots
Elevated perches
Sites for oviposition
Filter overhead light
Purify air
Oxygenate water
Utilize organic wastes
Increase humidity
Green algae and larval diet
Plant Considerations
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Low light levels
Pots vs. buried in substrate
Rinse, repot plants
No sharp tips
http://www.dkimages.com
Retreats
• Secretive, time spent hiding
• Dark, low sealing, deep
• Cork bark or
darkly colored
plastic containers
Water
• Fresh or Brackish
• Same as for fish
Location
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Minimal surrounding activity
Vibration
Controlled environment
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Escapes
Environmental Control
• Temperature
• Humidity
• Lighting
Temperature
• Achieved by:
-Lighting: air
-Heater: water
• Thermal gradient
-Max-min thermometer
-Basking Spot
• Common Ranges:
-Green tree frog: 75°F-88°F (24-31°C) day, 68°F (20°C) at
night
-Tiger salamander: 55°F- 78°F (13-26°C)
Humidity
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>70% Relative humidity
Gradient with retreats
Skin problems
Gauge
Methods:
• Reduced
ventilation
• Water (spraying,
moving, contained)
• Live plants
• Humidifier
Lighting
*Spectrum, Intensity, Duration*
• Full-spectrum lights
• Intensity: <46 cm from cage floor
• Duration Photoperiod: equatorial (12:12) vs.
temperate (16:8)
Lighting Considerations
• Source of heat
• Subdued lighting & gradual changes
• Plants
Nutrition
• Accurate Records!!!
• Dead vs. live feeding
• Considerations:
-Swallow prey whole
-Cannibalistic species
-Dermatophagy
-Prey comes predator
Nutrition
• Pre- vs Post-metamorphosis
• Variety
-Schedule
~small, active foragers vs. ambush
predators
~larvae vs. adults
~time of day
-Content
Larval Amphibian Diet
Larval salamanders and neonatal caecilians
vs.
anurans
Larval Amphibian Diet-Herbivorous
Anurans
• Fish flakes, live aquatic vegetation and
algae, heat treated greens*
Larval Amphibian Diet-Omnivorous
Anurans
• Fish Flakes/pellets, live aquatic vegetation
and green algae
Larval Amphibian Diet-Carnivores
• Zooplankton cultured protozoa small
crustaceans  small earthworms/chopped
adults mosquito larvae small live fresh
water fish/chopped larger fish fish
pellets/flakes
www.wildlifetrust.org.uk
http://www.glaucus.org.uk/
Adult Aquatic Amphibian Diet
• Whole or Chopped Invertebrates:
• Water fleas, fly larvae, feeder fish (guppy),
smaller fresh water fish (whole smelt), fish
pellet feeds, and…
http://dcsbible.files.wordpress.com
http://www.geocities.jp
http://www.guppy-fish.com/
Terrestrial Amphibian Diets
• Invertebrates
Vitamin and Mineral
Supplementation
• Ca
-Absorb with H20
-Misting: no distilled water
-“Gut-loading”
- Dusting
- Ca:P
• Frozen fish + thiamine
• Rodents + Vit D3
http://www.repcal.com
Nutritional Disorders
• Tadpoles: spinach
• Iodine deficiency
• Metabolic bone disease in frogs
http://www.ultimatecoupons.com/blog/wpcontent/uploads/2008/03/popeye.jpg
Breeding
• DIFFICULT!
• Manipulate environment:
-Hibernation: gradual temperature changes
stop feed 1 week prior
-Precipitation
http://www.i-esfera.com/fotos/rain.jpg
Diseases to Look Out For
• Red leg- often stress/IC; control with
proper sanitation and environmental
quality
http://www.xenopus.com/disease.htm
Key Points
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Pre-purchase research
Life history considerations!!!
Appropriate handling
Appropriate environment with options
Balanced diet with accurate records
Now for some fun….
Our New and Fabulous Frog
Vivarium!!!
• Species:
4 Poison Dart Frogs,
Dendrobates azureus
• Purchased: Breeder
in Dunn
• Sex: Juveniles,
Undetermined
• Handling: N/A
The House
• Enclosure Design:
Stream-side
• Substrate: Coconut
husk Dried moss
Live moss
• Retreats: logs
• Plants: Rooted in
substrate, glued
• Water-DI
Environment
• Temperature: 72-75° F (22-24° C)
• Humidity: 90% (hygrometer)
-fans
-misters (every 6 hrs/30 s
-spray pre-eating)
• Lighting: UV fluorescent bulbs
-10 hrs daylight currently
Diet
• Cultured fruit flies
-15/day
-A.M.
-Territories
• Supplements: rotating EOD
-Ca (dusting)
-General supplement
• Springtails (for mold)
dendroworld.co.uk
Special thank you to Kristine Alpi, Dr.
Suzanne Kennedy-Stoskopf , and Jenessa
Gjeltema for their help and input
References
Bank, M.S., J. Crocker, B. Connery, and A. Amirbahman. (2007). Mercury bioaccumulation in green
frog (Rana clamitans) and bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) tadpoles from Acadia National Park,
Maine, USA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 26:117-125.
Brown, D.D. and L. Caia. (2007). Amphibian Metamorphosis: A Review.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna. Geneva,
Switzerland. 29/7/08. <www.cites.org>
Flank, L (1998) Herp Help. New York: Howell Book House.
HEDIN, C.A. and A. LARSSON. (1986). In vitro activation of amphibian dermal melanocytes by
nicotine. European Journal of Oral Sciences. 94.1: 57-65.
Horne, M. T. and W. A. Dunson. (1995). Effects of low pH, metals, and water hardness on larval
amphibians. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 29:500-505.
Kupfer, A., Kramer, A. and W. Himstedt (2004). “Sex-related growth patterns in a caecilian
amphibian (genus Ichthyophis): evidence from laboratory data” Journal of Zoology. 262.2:
173.
Linzey, D., Burroughs, J., Hudson, L.; Marini, M; Robertson, J.; Bacon, J.; Nagarkatti, M.; and
P. Nagarkatti. (2003). “Role of environmental pollutants on immune functions, parasitic
infections and limb malformations in marine toads and whistling frogs from Bermuda”
International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 13.2: 125-148.
Marquis, O.; Millery, A.; Guittonneau, S.; and C Miaud (2006) “Toxicity of PAHs and jelly
protection of eggs in the Common Frog, Rana temporaria” Amphibia-Reptilia. 27: 472-5
Mattison C (1992). Care of Reptiles and Amphibians in Captivity. Revised Third Ed. New York,
NY: Sterling Publishing.
Stoskopf, M.K. (2008) “Amphibian Medicine” in Introduction to Physical Examination Skills Part
B: Lab Animal and Zoological Species.
Taylor, B.E., Croll, A.E., Drucker, M.L. and A.L. Wilson. (2008). Developmental exposure to
ethanol or nicotine inhibits the hypercapnic ventilatory response in tadpoles. Respiratory
Physiology and Neurobiology. 160.1: 83-90.
Wright, K.M, and B.R. Whitaker (2001). Amphibian Medicine and Husbandry. Malabar,
Florida: Krieger Publishing Company.
Other Photo Websites
• www.zoosamara.ru
• www.crazy-frog.us
• http://artfiles.art.com/
• www.wikipedia.org