devora
"The Perfect Pet for A Busy (Or Lazy) Person"
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The Perfect Pet for A Busy (Or Lazy) Person
-
Dec 14, 2008
- by devora
- posted in Awesomeness
Rating:
Before moving to Japan a few months ago, my friend left me with his beloved 10 year old White's tree frog, Ferdinand, and well, I've been in love ever since. Not only does he sit around looking adorable all day (see my flickr for proof), but he's also incredibly easy to take care of. He just makes an all-around great pet!
+5
I had put off getting pets because I'm away from my home a lot and didn't feel like it would be fair to leave a pet all alone at home all day, but when Ferdinand came into my life, I knew he would fit right in. The only thing that is really crucial in caring for Ferdinand is that his water tray should always be filled. Other than that, White's tree frogs only need to be fed live crickets every 2-3 weeks (my Ferdinand eats 25 large crickets about every 3 weeks, kind of like he would find food sporadically in nature!), and their cage can be cleaned out maybe once or twice a year.
White's don't really need too much attention. They're nature's content loners; they can do with or without a companion, so you don't need to get a whole tank of fellow tree frogs. I rarely ever take him out of his tank. Though I do love holding him, I've been told that it's actually more fun for me than it is for him when I do. Another thing is that I have to be really careful when I take him out of his tank. I have to rinse my hands (not with soap) to remove any lotion or body oils that I may have on me, and if I wanted to place him on any surface, I would have to scrub that down with water as well, just in case there's any Windex or Lysol, etc, on it. Frogs drink through their pores, so all that junk may be toxic to them! So the easiest thing for me to do is... Just leave him in his tank. He's more of a pet to look at than to play with.
White's are very chill creatures. Nocturnal and not very active, though I still love staring at him even when he's not doing anything. Understandably, the only time he ever really moves around is at night or when he knows it's feeding time. I love watching him eat his crickets, even though it usually ends up being pretty anticlimatic. I also swear that Ferdinand only moves like, twice a day. But give him a break -- he's over a decade old and who knows how much that is in frog years!
Unlike dogs, White's don't require walking, nor do they need a lot of attention or care; they're just there, chillin' in the tank, being all cool and stuff, making them the best pet ever. Having a White's tree frog for a pet is like having a goldfish. Only more awesome :)
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ornleifs
September 24, 2010
You must have kissed him right, - I mean just to see what happens.
devora
September 24, 2010
We really have kissed before! I still think he's a little prince :)
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4_Senpoku
May 17, 2010
For more information on care: http://whitestreefrog.net/
devora
September 24, 2010
Cool, thanks!
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michele
March 26, 2010
He is adorable. Ten years is a long time for any type of frog to live. He doesn't look that old (not that I know what a ten year old frog should look like!). Do you know what the life expectancy of a Green Tree Frog is? Thanks for the new knowledge!
devora
March 26, 2010
Thanks! White's tree frog can live to about 25 years in captivity. Ferdinand is 11 or 12 now, and I thought that that was totally old until I read this article last week about a 21 year old frog. Talk about amazing! :P
michele
March 26, 2010
That was a good article. It comes from the same state that I'm in and I never heard about it until now. How funny I had to hear about it from someone in California!! Thank you..
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Ulalume
February 01, 2010
I would LOVE to have one of these, but I have four cats, and they love anything that moves around in a cage. I once had a fish and a hamster as well, and the cats would always try to knock over the fish's tank, as well as stick their paws inside of the hamser's wire cage and swat at him! Not a very safe environment for a frog at the moment. Adorable review!
devora
February 02, 2010
Aw, thanks! Best, most easy to take care of pet, ever! I was about to say that even I can barely move my frog's tank since it's so heavy, but then I remembered that cats are smart and sneaky, so they'd probably be able to open or tear through the screen! ...Duct tape the tank? :P
Ulalume
February 02, 2010
Yep, that's true. They aren't declawed, and they like to tear at the carpet, so I wouldn't out it past them to tear off the screen :)
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jbeswick
October 27, 2009
I honestly think you need a column in the New York Times. Great stuff...
devora
October 27, 2009
Aw, thanks, James! Does this mean I have a recommendation? ;P
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MzBona
October 18, 2009
great pics of ferdinand!
devora
October 18, 2009
Thanks, lady! :)
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MelissaAq
October 15, 2009
I actually think I need to buy a tree frog. HE IS SOOOOOOO CUTE.
devora
October 18, 2009
Do it! Easiest pet to take care of as well as a great, low key companion! :)
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vannettli
September 25, 2009
i used to work at a locally owned pet shop so i took care of loads of them. :] they are adorable. sometimes they like to croak every once in a while and are supperr cute cause they look like they have cheeks. i would suggest getting a coconut hut because some of them really like that, i remember the times when i left one and find two or three of them crammed into one hut. and think about keeping the cage semi-moist with a sprayer. if its too moist for them they will just climb onto the glass and get away from the moisture.
devora
September 26, 2009
omg, a coconut hut sounds so cute!!!! I've never seen one before, but I can only imagine. I'll have to pick one of those up the next time I go to the vivarium for coconut husk for the tank. Thanks for the suggestion and your comment, Vannett! :)
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Count_Orlok_22
September 11, 2009
Wow, thanks for the link to this. He really is adorable. Are they legal as pets in the U.S. and do they hop like other frogs?
devora
September 26, 2009
Thanks, Sean! Yes, they're legal as pets in the U.S. and they hop like other frogs if you give them enough space. Ferdinand's really quiet though, not so much croaking!
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woopak_the_thrill
September 11, 2009
love your title, Devora! "...I love watching him eat his crickets" LOL! poor crickets! Devora likes watching them get tortured! bwahahaha! entertaining write up!
devora
September 11, 2009
Haha, this reminds me, I have to get crickets tonight! I also need to add more of my Ferdinand pictures to this review. Thanks for your comment, Woo! :)
woopak_the_thrill
September 12, 2009
you're welcome.
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About the reviewer
devora (devora)
Ranked #1
Ranked #1
When I'm not Lunching, I'm a jeweler, and an all around, self-proclaimed web geek. My passions include social media, the interweb, technology, writing, yoga, fitness, photography, jewelry, fashion, … more
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About this topic
The White's Tree Frog is a species of tree frog native to Australia and New Guinea, with introduced populations in New Zealand and the United States. The species belongs to the genus Litoria. It is physiologically similar to some species of the genus, particularly the Magnificent Tree Frog (Litoria splendida) and the Giant Tree Frog (Litoria infrafrenata).
The Green Tree Frog is larger than most Australian frogs, reaching 10 centimetres (4 inches) in length. The average lifespan of the frog in captivity, about sixteen years, is long in comparison with most frogs. Green Tree Frogs are docile and well suited to living near human dwellings. They are often found on windows or inside houses, eating insects drawn by the light.
Due to its physical and behavioural traits, the Green Tree Frog has become one of the most recognisable frogs in its region, and is a popular exotic pet throughout the world. The skin secretions of the frog have antibacterial and antiviral properties that may prove useful in pharmaceutical preparations.
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The Green Tree Frog is larger than most Australian frogs, reaching 10 centimetres (4 inches) in length. The average lifespan of the frog in captivity, about sixteen years, is long in comparison with most frogs. Green Tree Frogs are docile and well suited to living near human dwellings. They are often found on windows or inside houses, eating insects drawn by the light.
Due to its physical and behavioural traits, the Green Tree Frog has become one of the most recognisable frogs in its region, and is a popular exotic pet throughout the world. The skin secretions of the frog have antibacterial and antiviral properties that may prove useful in pharmaceutical preparations.
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