Gray Tree frog Release?

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brittanyd0203

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Mar 30, 2009
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Vienna, WV
So we had some pretty massive flooding around here a couple months ago and I was out in the field collecting some bluegill for research for class and I came across a small frog out in the middle of a large lake. I think she had been washed out of hibernation since where this "lake" was was normally a large meadow and it was about 20 degrees F outside. Needless to say I took the little one in and set up a small 2 gallon vivarium for her. After a bit of research, I found that she was a gray tree frog. Well, the weather has now improved greatly and I was considering releasing her back into the wild, but I'm concerned about whether or not she will revert back to her natural instincts and be able to survive. She has only been with me for two months or so and has been on a constant diet of live mealworms. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Wren

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Mar 27, 2011
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One winter we found a tree frog in our basement. My husband went to toss it outside, then realized that it was COLD out there. So I set up a little aquarium for it and fed it crickets all winter. In the spring we turned it free again. I can't imagine that 2 months of care will render it incapable of taking care of itself.

My husband joked that the little tree frog would be knocking on our door again come fall...
 

Vicious_Fish

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Mar 6, 2007
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The frog will be just fine.
 

brittanyd0203

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Mar 30, 2009
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Vienna, WV
Great, I just wanted to make sure. I've never kept an amphibian before so I wasn't too sure. I've put a lot of time into this little one and just want what's best for her.
 

2rivers

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Oct 20, 2010
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They were too noisy @night for me to keep for longer than a week. In the summer treefrogs wont shut up. They adapt to eat all kinds of critters, froggy will be fine.
 

Inka4040

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Mar 31, 2008
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I would be more worried about the transfer of parasites and diseases between where you originally collected the frog, and where you plan to release it. Chytrid is a huge concern for amphibian populations, and you don't want to risk spreading that around, even accidentally. I personally wouldn't do it.
 

brittanyd0203

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Mar 30, 2009
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Vienna, WV
The release spot is the same as the collection spot so there wouldn't be any new parasites. I had collected another frog from the exact same location who had been stranded as well but she passed away. Upon necropsy, I found both Opalina and Nyctotherus which was probably the cause of death. The specimens being collected were for my parasitology class and all specimens were infected with one or multiple parasites.
 
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