Question:
We have a Bull Frog that we brought in from outside -
he's in a fish tank with a little water, gravel - filter and feed him
crickets. I wondered if he feels cold sometimes because he seems to sun
himself and stays under the light we provided for him. Is it possible
for him to feel cold when we turn the light off at night? Should we
continue to turn the light off at night and on in the
morning? (Sometimes the room is a little chilly even for us) Pls.
advise. Thanks for your help.
Replies:
Bull frogs are cold-blooded. This means that they do not create their own
body heat like mammals do. In order for them to keep their blood warm they
sit in the sunlight to warm themselves until their body temperature is high
enough. Normally in the winter they burrow down into the mud and stay until
spring arrives. In their normal environment, frogs are used to having light
cycles. However, your bull frog cannot burrow into the mud. If he
consistently suns himself, he probably is not warming up as much as he would
like. You can get heating pads that you put under the aquarium. Try placing
one of those on low at first at night and see how he reacts. Make sure it's
not to warm, he is used to some cold.
NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.