PHYLLOMEDUSA BICOLOR

April 25, 2009

Pickup and Delivery: Subcommander Marcos

Phyllomedusa Bicolor - Subcommander MarcosKingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Hylidae
Subfamily: Phyllomedusinae
Genus: Phyllomedusa
Species: P. bicolor
Given Name: Subcommander Marcos

Northern Berks Reptile ShowToday I drove to meet Michael J. Novy in Hamburg, Pensilvania at the Northern Berks Reptile Show. To my knowledge, Michael is the only person in North America who has successfully bred the Giant Waxy Monkey Frog in captivity. I returned with Subcommander Marcos, a three month old P. biclor named after the EZLN spokesperson, Subcomandante Insurgente Marcos.

I first discovered these frogs in the Upper Amazon of Peru during the summer of 2007. The P. bicolor is a nocturnal hylid found in the rainforests of Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, and Peru. The Matse and Mayoruna peoples use the hepta-peptide, opiate containing venom secretions of this frog in a remarkable magical hunting ritual that I recently based a sculpture on.

The posts in this section are devoted to tracking the activity and growth of Marcos as well to provide any knowledge I obtain that may be useful in the raising of this rare species. If you have any information you would like to share please contact me.

May 01, 2009

Adapting to the Environment

As per Michael's instruction, I am currently keeping Subcommander Marcos in a screen-top, 10 gallon terrarium with synthetic jungle plants and meandering vines. When he grows larger in 4-6 months, I will transfer him to 50-plus gallon vertical habitat as well as change the heat, humidity, light, and feeding cycle. The current conditions, based on his age and size, are as follows:

Heat: During the day, 70-75 degrees F. At night, 68-70 degrees F.

Humidity: 60-65% Moisture. Every morning and evening I lightly mist him with distilled spring water to aid in shedding. The top of tank is 75% covered with plastic to help retain humidity.

Substrate: Unbleached paper towel - wetted and changed as needed.

Light: 2% UVB during the day as well as natural sunlight.

Food: I keep 4 live 1/4" to 1/2" crickets in the tank nightly. The crickets are dusted in 3 parts Rep-Cal Herpavite to 1 part Rep-Cal Calcium w/Vitamin D3. I am also providing small carrots on a regualr basis.

Water: Shallow dish of distilled spring water.

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