leaf litter

newbie · #1 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 07:24 PM

i know this might sound dumb, but what exactly is leaf litter?

joshsfrogs · #2 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 08:16 PM

Just leaves that you add to a terrarium. Oak, Almond, and Magnolia are th best. The frogs hid in them and will lay eggs in them. Look cool too.

Josh_Leisenring · #3 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 08:55 PM

Yeah, it's just old leaves that are placed atop the substrate in a viv. If you've been out in the woods, assuming the trees are mostly deciduous, you'll notice that the ground is covered with layers of old fallen leaves. Some of us like to try to replicate this in our vivs. It's easier than trying to grow moss, anyway :wink:

- Josh

newbie · #4 (**permalink**) 10-30-2006, 09:05 PM

i live in the desert in arizona, i guess ill have to travel for an hour up to the higher parts where there are actually trees and such. too bad ill have to wait for a while to be able to go.

slaytonp · #5 (**permalink**) 10-31-2006, 01:16 AM

Leaf litter isn't essential, although it's nice to have. Organic composts, long brown sphagnum, and jungle mixes without fertilizers, perlite, or vermiculite, are fine. without the leaf litter topping. You can even just use coconut fiber substrates. It just makes things more interesting when you are able to add some oak or magnolia leaves. They are full of tannins, which are considered a good thing, and don't deteriorate rapidly, discourage molds, and tannin "tea," made from soaking oak leaves in water, is nice to add to tadpole water. Dart frogs can hide under leaf litter, or not, depending upon their personalities, may lay eggs on it, or not, (usually not), depending upon species, but if the leaf litter is absent, they can still get along just fine.

black_envy · #6 (**permalink**) 10-31-2006, 02:28 AM

Yeah I wouldn't bother, I personally hate the look of leaf litter and I think it kind of gives it a wierd look... :roll: just my thought lol

stchupa · #7 (**permalink**) 10-31-2006, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slaytonp

perlite, or vermiculite, are fine.

Really? I suppose if you're really really careful.

slaytonp · #8 (**permalink**) 10-31-2006, 03:14 PM

What I said was without fertilizers, perlite or vermiculite. The latter two substances can stick to the frogs, float in the water and be annoying. I avoid them.

KeroKero · #9 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 01:44 AM

You might think leaf litter is ugly, but just remember, leaf litter is what most of these frogs live on in the wild, and what nature developed them to stand out against :wink: Sure an azureus looks good on green moss, but try missing seeing one on leaf litter... not going to happen. Same with the green and black auratus, they stand out like a sore thumb and even my crappy eyesite made finding them a breeze to find on the rainforest floor in the wild!

Josh_Leisenring · #10 (**permalink**) 11-10-2006, 03:09 PM

I've gotta second Corey on this. PDFs, in my own opinion, stand out much better against leaf litter than moss. My auratus especially look great against the magnolia leaf litter I have in their viv

It really is a personal preference, though, and, like I said, it's easier to care for than moss :P

- Josh