Thursday, June 16, 2011

What NOT to feed your pet frog

BEWARE: This story is a mouthful.



We had an exciting Science lesson at our house yesterday. The boys caught a huge (TEXAS size) grasshopper in the backyard and tried to feed it to Sea Monster. It was about as big as he is, so my first instinct was to tell them "No," but my curiosity got the best of me. I wondered if Sea Monster would even try to eat the huge grasshopper and I wondered how he could possibly eat it. So we put the grasshopper in the habitat, I grabbed the camera, and we waited. Lucky for ya'll, we only waited three minutes. It turns out that frogs are just as glutenous as humans...


I was a little concerned about the grasshopper legs hanging out of our frogs mouth, so we kept a close eye on him. After about an hour, he had swallowed most of the grasshopper, but our poor frog looked like he was in some serious distress. His eyes were bugging out of his head, he was salivating and not breathing much. So I did what every logical person would.... I googled "what to do if your pet frog is choking on a grasshopper." I didn't get exactly the result that I was looking for, but I did learn that you are never supposed to feed a frog anything that is bigger than his head... ooops. Next step, I called Colby. Surely a doctor would know how to handle this situation (by this time Carter is yelling, "mom, don't let him die!") As usual, Colby didn't answer (he obviously didn't know this was a life or death situation) so I called my dad. My dad said, "Why don't you just pull the grasshopper out of his mouth?" Well, because I actually had thought of that- but let's be honest, we are talking about grasshopper legs hanging out of a half-dead frogs mouth... not really something I wanted to get my hands on. (but thanks dad for the fatherly advice!) Luckily, my little Ammon is fearless, and a bit of a scientist. He didn't hesitate to pick up Sea Monster and yank the grasshopper right out of his mouth. Immediately, the grasshopper, who miraculously was still alive, hopped out of Ammon's hand and onto my carpet. What ensued was mass chaos- picture me and Abbi screaming and the boys chasing the frog and the grasshopper around their bedroom. We all survived (even the giant grasshopper) and we all learned what NOT to feed our pet frog.

10 comments:

karin said...

That is HILARIOUS!!! You have the best stories!

We should see each other soon, you can come without Colby if you want or you can wait for him. Jill is here so there are more adults :)

Briana said...

That is tooooooo darn funny! I love the excitement as he leaps up and grabs what he thinks is going to be dinner!

Aleese and Scott said...

Seriously I have not stopped laughing!! That is the funniest thing I have seen in a long time. I love how both Carter and Ammon keep insisting he is fine! What a good mom!!

Rachel Holloway said...

That is hilarious! Thanks for sharing--should we EVER have a pet frog! lol.

The Teeples Times said...

That was AWESOME!! I was glued to my computer watching and waiting for your frog to get the grasshopper! BTW, the grasshopper IS huge. They sure do know how to make them down there in Texas. I am so impressed by Ammon pulling out the grasshopoper - not sure Dallin or I could have done that. I can't believe the grasshopper was still alive! What a FABULOUS story - you've made my day.

Valene said...

Great science lesson. As for me, I couldn't even finish watching the video. I was too grossed out!

The Obergs said...

oh my gosh, that is funny/sad. What an interesting science experiment and a good lesson.

I know that sometimes I wish someone would pull the food out of my mouth when my eyes are too big for my stomach...

Glad seamonster lived to tell the tale.

Mike and Kim said...

GROSS!!! You are a great Mom, for saving that nasty little frog.

Heather said...

HAHA.. LOL for sure! :)
missin you.

xo.

Straley Family said...

Best story EVER!