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Care Sheet: Striped Spiny Reed Frog (Afrixalus dorsalis)

Common Name: Striped Spiny Reed Frog.

Scientific Name: Afrixalus dorsalis.

Distribution: Cameroon & Angola.

Size: 25 - 30mm.

Sexing: The males of this species may be heard calling.

Colouration: The dorsal surface is a dark brown with broad light brown dorsolateral stripes starting on top of the snout and continuing to the groin.

Requirements: These small agile frogs can jump over a large distance and so require a fairly large terrarium. A 15-gallon tank would be adequate for a group of 6 adults. They require a bushland type set-up with a substrate of bark chips, topsoil or moss. Furnishings such as logs, cork bark and sturdy thin-leafed plants can be arranged to provide a number of climbing, perching and hiding places. A small water bowl (no deeper than the frog's height at rest) must be provided with clean de-chlorinated or spring water. The water will need to be changed daily to avoid the build up of ammonia and bacteria in the water whilst changing the water it is a good idea to visually inspect the tank and remove, clean and replace any soiled items. The tank will need to be heated to a daytime temperature of 24 - 26°C with a drop at night to 20 - 22°C this can be done with an under-tank heat-mat controlled by a thermostat. It is not advisable to use spot / heat lamps with amphibians and so a separate light source should be provided by the means of a fluorescent UVB tube. Once every two-three weeks the tank and its contents should be completely cleaned and sterilised using an amphibian / reptile friendly disinfectant.

Feeding: For adults a mixture of suitably sized insects including crickets, mini-mealworm, flies, waxworm, and caterpillars should be fed every two-three days. A calcium and vitamin supplement should be used once weekly. Young frogs will take hatchling crickets and fruitflies, these should be fed every day and a calcium and vitamin supplement used two-three times a week.