Catching Patriot Fever!

Just in time to celebrate Independence Day! We're offering Red,White & Blue Decorative Gravel on the website.

Wild Creations Video FAQ Series: Cleaning & Chemicals

We're introducing a new video series of Frequently Asked Questions with Bullfrog Bob & Pet G. explaining the self-maintinence of our EcoAquariums.

How a Tree Frog is re-defining Biology

By Helen Fields
Smithsonian magazine

Karen Warkentin, wearing tall olive-green rubber boots, stands on the bank of a concrete-lined pond at the edge of the Panamanian rainforest. She pulls on a broad green leaf still attached to a branch and points out a shiny clutch of jellylike eggs. “These guys are hatchable,” she says.
Red-eyed tree frogs, Agalychnis callidryas, lay their eggs on foliage at the edge of ponds; when the tadpoles hatch, they fall into the water. Normally, an egg hatches six to seven days after it is laid. The ones that Warkentin is pointing to, judging from their size and shape, are about five days old, she says. Tiny bodies show through the clear gel-filled membrane. Under a microscope, the red hearts would just be visible. READ MORE

The Danger is All Around Us!

There are few causes we rally around more serious, than to raise awareness of one of the most dangerous chemicals around, DHMO (Dihydrogen Monoxide), a corrosive chemical easily found in most households.
Each year DHMO poisoning causes thousands of deaths worldwide, Insurance Underwriters report millions of dollars spent each year repairing damage caused by the onslaught of excessive DHMO exposure. We feel the Public MUST BE MADE MORE AWARE!
That's why we wish to promote today as DHMO AWARENESS DAY!
As the summer months arrive, more people are exposed to the effects of DHMO as they go outside and play along Beaches, Lakes, Rivers & Streams, often in an attempt to beat the heat by swimming, or in other summer past times like boating or fishing. THIS IS WHEN YOU ARE MOST VULNERABLE!
Learn more about one of the most dangerous chemicals found in nature. One that can aid life, but if left untreated, can be one of the most harmful chemicals around.
DON'T DROWN IN IGNORANCE OF DHMO!

Fuzzy Green Balls of Algae under Scrutiny

Recently on our Facebook Page, Carrie Ann Durkin Pitts posed a question which started us on a path of research.  A path which may lead to a new product offering.
We're currently testing a form of Algae which may offer a method of keeping other forms of Algae at bay in our EcoAquariums.
 
Carrie asked us if Marimo Ball "Moss" can be added in our EcoAquarium. Marimo Balls are a form of slow-growing Algae, popular as an plant addition in fresh-water aquariums. In reaching an answer for her, she peaked or interest in the funny, furry, unique plant.
As far as it's compatibility, since Marimo (Aegagropila linnaei) is a form of freshwater algae, it poses no direct threat to bottom-dwelling African Dwarf Frogs, and the frogs seem to pose no threat to the plant. (Frogs are not algae eaters) But what has interested us most is how the Marimo aids greatly in consuming nitrates in the water, effectively reducing the food source to other, more fast-growing algae commonly found in all aquariums, including our EcoAquariums.

We're currently testing several EcoAquariums with Marimo Balls in our office, each under different lighting conditions and plant/frog configurations, monitoring water quality over time. If this turns out favorable, it's possible we may consider Marimo Ball Algae as a plant to offer in future EcoAquariums. Stay tuned!

BTW: If you have included Marimo Balls in your EcoAquariums, or in any standard aquarium, we'd appreciate your comments & observations.

It's a Drippy, Trippy, Sunshiney Day...

After visiting a deep freeze for two days, we welcome the sun and warmer temps. The roads have cleared up and we're back at work!  We're sorry for those who may have orders awaiting shipment, we'll be sending those out shortly.

FEEDING FROGS: When a little is a lot

Wild Creations Co-Founder Peter Gasca responded recently to a customer e-mail which address's a common concern many have with conflicting information given about African Dwarf Frogs. We thought it was worth republishing here on the blog...

Brenda writes:
"Good morning.  I have read articles from PetSmart and PetCo that state the African Dwarf Frog needs to be fed every day but you state that it should only be twice a week.  I am very confused.  I want them to be healthy but if i over feed, they will die and if they don't get fed enough they will die as well.  Can you help out?  Thanks"

A little bit goes a long way.

Thank you so much for the email.  The information you received from PetSmart and Petco is not inaccurate, but it doesn't consider the feeding portions.  Many websites, big retailers included, will tell you that you need to feed daily with blood worms or brine shrimp, which are small and not very dense.  The food we provide is formulated for these frogs and is highly concentrated with the nutrients they need, and therefore feedings twice a week is suffice.  Also, the twice a week feedings is a minimum we recommend, but you are more than welcome to feed more often.  I would not, however, encourage you to feed every day, as most of the food will go uneaten and simply soil the aquarium.
We often receive the question about feeding more often, mostly because many people "humanize" the frog experience and assume they have the same metabolic and nutritional needs as us.  This, as is the case with many other animals, is just not the case.  These frogs could, as they might if left in nature to fend for themselves, go several weeks without feeding.  Their metabolism, however, is such that it will conserve energy until there is a food source.  We would never recommend withholding food for so long, but for these reasons, twice a week is more than suffice.

I would also note that we have been working with these frogs for well over nine years now (over two million in total), and the feeding schedule we recommend, with our food, has proven time and time again to be more than suffice for these little frogs.  They will go on to live as long as two or three years, and in some cases, as many as six or seven (we often receive emails from customers who have had their frogs for that long!).  Our experience is that this feeding is not only suffice, it is the best for their health and the life of the ecosystem habitat.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to email or phone our office at 843-448-8880.
Regards
Pete Gasca