Aww, how cute are those? What are they??
They're African Clawed Frogs. Well, they will be when they're frogs.
I've gotten pretty attached to the little guys in the last two weeks. I thought, "oh let's raise tadpoles!" and didn't do any research or anything. Then when these guys came in the mail and the (very poor) care instructions said they can't be released into the wild, I realized we were in for more of a learning experience than we originally bargained for. But it's been great! My son, Coleman, and I have learned about the Nitrogen Cycle and have started cycling a 55g tank that will eventually be their home. We've learned that there are frogs (like ours) that don't ever really leave the water, don't have teeth or tongues, and will eat any fish that will fit in their mouths! I've also had an opportunity to teach my son about taking responsibility, by demonstrating all of the (research, reading, phone calls, and trips to the pet store, and even a call to a ZOOLOGIST) things necessary to make sure that we take proper care of our new friends and not just let them loose or whatever, just because it's more of a commitment than we bargained for. And it's been fun, starting and sharing this new hobby with him. As he gets older, it's harder, as his mom, to stay close and still let him grow up. Sorry...didn't mean to ruminate! Anyway, two weeks ago everyone said they'd all be dead by now, so we consider it quite an accomplishment that we've gotten all seven this far!
