2 weeks ago, we bought a tree frog and a Himalayan tree dragon (I think it's also called a "splendid tree dragon.")

The trouble is that the folks at our little pet shop doesn't always know what they're doing. So they didn't mention if we'd need a heater or anything. They didn't even know what species the lizard was! But it was cute, so we bought it.

The 20-gallon aquarium has a screen cover and long lightbulb bulb on top, and the lizard spent most of its time crawling on the screen, presumably to enjoy the heat. So yesterday, we bought a heater that sticks to the side of the glass. We installed it this morning, and so far the frog seems to like to sit next to it. The thermometer says 72 degrees.

Exhaustive research has revealed that the Splendid tree dragon likes a dry climate at a temp of 68-74 degrees. Will this setup do the trick?

ALSO -- is this lizard safe to handle? We have two young kids, and
I want both the kids and the lizard to be safe!

Welcome to HCN...I dont think they should be housed together. Its not good to mix species and they could have different requirements. What kind of tree frog? If the heater is flat, its probably an Under Tank Heater, under the tank heater, meaning it goes on the bottom, not the side. I cant seem to find info on your dragon, so pics would be great to help identify to insure right info is given.

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Where did you get your information. Tthose temps sound a bit cold to me for most lizards.


Would this perhaps be your lizard?
Japalura splendida
If not if you could post a picture of it we would be more able to help you.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Yes, I believe that's the guy. The color is not a perfect match, but he changes quite a bit, from bright green to dark green/brown.

The info (regarding temp) was from a book the pet store had. It's a fairly popular book that I've seen elsewhere, but I can't find the exact match online. I also read about spledid dragons elsewhere on HC network, in an old thread.

I'm going to have to house these two together for now, due to space constraints. They lived in the same tank at the store, and so far they both seem quite healthy.

And the instructions for the heater said it could be used as a Under Tank Heater, but side mounting was "prefered." I misplaced the packaging & intructions.

Great website, by the way!

Here is a care sheet for the dragon, you are going to need a much larger tank soon...but what kind of frog is it?

Japalura Care Sheet

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MARSHA

:D I'm smiling because I have no idea whats going on!

Welcome to HC Network....sounds like you are getting some splendid help there LOL....good luck with your new reptiles...I agree tho, they should be separated....

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Warmest Regards from Lyn

Het chaz,

Welcome to Herp Center! You've come to the right place for info! I hope you have good luck with your new pets!

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Smile and the world will think that you are up to something!

Steve

Thanks for the care sheet and all the other help.

The frog is a pretty average-looking tree frog, about like what I've seen called a "green tree frog" and also a "carolina tree frog." She is only active for a short period in the evening, but at that time she becomes a very lovely emerald color and moves around a bit. Incedentally, I call her "she" only because my 3-year-old daughter named her "Princess."

I think we will soon look into getting a larger tank for the lizard, and maybe add another. I read that males are territorial and will fight. Anyone know an easy way to tell the boys from the girls?

I'll keep the frog where she is. I've always had a real soft spot for frogs, and I'd hate to see her eaten.

The one other pet I've always wanted is a leopard gecko. Would one of those share a space with wither the frog or dragon?

Incedentally, my past experiences keeping frogs went well until I moved a tree frog in with my fire-belly toads. The toads had lived for about a year until the tree frog moved in -- I tried to have both a wet and a dry area in the same small tank, and soon all three kicked the bucket. So that experience did make me sensitive to mixing species.

Seeing my two current critters housed together at the store made me think they'd be a good match. I should have known better!

Hello,

I am not knowledgeable in the species you are keeping, so I can't help with the questions you have asked. I did want to jump in though and welcome you to the site. I hope you find it useful!

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Petstores cannot be trusted. They house species together improperly all of the time and give you the false sense that it is okay.

Generally it is not okay to mix species becase of individual needs. One animal or the other ends up suffering from improper care.

The only thing that can be housed with a leopard gecko is another leopard gecko, and even then you cannot mix two males or a male and female unless you have a harem of females and you are prepeared to deal with breeding issues.

My best advice since you are still learning about the dragon and the frog is to get them both set up comfortably in their own cages and then start your research on a leopard gecko. They make great pets, but I wouldn't jump into it until you have things straightened out with the dragon and the frog.

Best of luck!

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"If you're not falling, you're not trying." - Sonni Trotter

~*~Lacey~*~

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