Josh's Frogs
Say What? Slang and Shorthand in the Frog Hobby
Josh's Frogs provides all of the information, supplies, feeders, plants, and frogs for you to walk the walk, but can you talk the talk? Over the years, we've accrued a lot of hobby-specific speak, and this blog will help translate frogger talk so that anyone can follow the conversation.
1.2.3 - This isn't limited to the frog hobby, but this is an easy was to note sexes of animals. The first number indicates males, the second females, and the third unsexed. So, 1.2.3 would indicate 1 male, 2 females, and 3 unsexed animals, while 0.2 would just indicate 2 females. 0.0.4 indicates 4 unsexed animals.
Aquarium - An artificial environment replicating an aquatic habitat
Epiphyte - In the frog hobby, epiphytes generally refer to plants that do not grow or root in the substrate layer of a vivarium, such as
bromeliads,
orchids, some
ferns, and the like.
Froglet - Common term for a young frog. At what age does a frog stop being a froglet and becomes a juvenile frog? There's no set time, but sometime around 4-5 months or so.
Microfauna - The tiny bugs that live in our vivaria and help keep them clean, as well as serve as an extra food source. Primarily
springtails and
isopods, these small animals serve as a vivarium's janitorial staff.
Paludarium - An artificial environment that is part land and part water.
Probable - Literally meaning ""most likely"", in reference to frogs this is generally aimed towards the sex of an animal. So, 'probable 1.2 group' would refer to a group of 3 animals that most likely consists of 1 male and 2 females. The reliability of this label will vary strongly depending on the skill of the frogger with the animals.
Proven - There is concrete evidence that the animal can reproduce successfully. So, a proven male would have fertilized eggs while a proven female would have laid 'good eggs' that were fertilized and developed. Some froggers take this a step further, and only call animals 'proven' once they have produced healthy froglets.
Riparium - An artificial environment replicating the habitat found at the water's edge. Very similar to a paludarium. Many consider this a type of paludarium, although the actual amount of 'land' present is debatable.
Sexed - There is ample evidence a frog is a specific gender, IE calling for a male, egg laying for a female, etc. Many hobbyists consider 'sexed' animals to be 100% identified at the correct gender, while some view their gender as very probable, so always check before making a purchase or trade!
Terrarium - An artificial environment replicating a terrestrial habitat.
Vivarium - An artificial environment containing both plants and animals. This is how most dart frogs are housed.
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