Hey
I'm an avid herpetological keeper and have an array of lizards, snakes, and recently took on my first frogs. I bought a young pair of dendrobates aurutus (green and black poison dart frogs)
I've always prided myself in keeping my animals in impeccable setups that mimic their native environment, full of live substrate, plants etc. I do my research and an article of mine is due to appear in the IHS science journal, all this to say I'm not someone that buys a leopard gecko and sticks it in a fish tank on reptile carpet with a red bulb.
Over the past couple days I'd noticed one of my two frogs had been lethargic and I decided to keep a close eye but from a distance - they're so easy to stress and stress can be a killer. Today I noticed he was more lethargic than before and looked a little dry so I carefully caught him wearing gloves to move him into a separate container with some damp paper towel to try and hydrate him. I've just returned to do the evening mist and found him passed away amongst his moss
I know everything about his set up was correct, and my other frog is doing really well. He didn't look underweight or bloated and up until a few days ago was really active. I've got no idea what happened and can't help but blame myself for taking him out earlier. I know deep down it would likely have happened anyway but I'm really sad as this is my first loss in many years and I keep thinking of what I could have done different or better
I also can't help but be jealous that it's that easy to fucking die for some lol
Here is a photo of him when he was doing well <3
I'm absolutely gobsmacked he is alive
But incredibly lethargic, he likely won't make it
I'm an avid herpetological keeper and have an array of lizards, snakes, and recently took on my first frogs. I bought a young pair of dendrobates aurutus (green and black poison dart frogs)
I've always prided myself in keeping my animals in impeccable setups that mimic their native environment, full of live substrate, plants etc. I do my research and an article of mine is due to appear in the IHS science journal, all this to say I'm not someone that buys a leopard gecko and sticks it in a fish tank on reptile carpet with a red bulb.
Over the past couple days I'd noticed one of my two frogs had been lethargic and I decided to keep a close eye but from a distance - they're so easy to stress and stress can be a killer. Today I noticed he was more lethargic than before and looked a little dry so I carefully caught him wearing gloves to move him into a separate container with some damp paper towel to try and hydrate him. I've just returned to do the evening mist and found him passed away amongst his moss
I know everything about his set up was correct, and my other frog is doing really well. He didn't look underweight or bloated and up until a few days ago was really active. I've got no idea what happened and can't help but blame myself for taking him out earlier. I know deep down it would likely have happened anyway but I'm really sad as this is my first loss in many years and I keep thinking of what I could have done different or better
I also can't help but be jealous that it's that easy to fucking die for some lol
Here is a photo of him when he was doing well <3
I'm absolutely gobsmacked he is alive
But incredibly lethargic, he likely won't make it
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Take care of yourself and allow yourself to grieve. I lost my cat very suddenly almost a month ago; he had a tumour in his abdomen and it ruptured, causing internal bleeding. He was dead less than an hour of me calling the emergency vet. I was in shock the first day. After that I've cried almost daily because I miss him so much. Time heals. I know it sounds like a cliche but it's true. I don't cry daily anymore but I will always grieve his death. Knowing how sick he was helps me cope though. And his big brothers are a big help.
