I was talking with a fellow Dart frogger and our discussion turned to the use of film canisters. These little plastic tubular containers are available world wide and in a number of styles. They are also a size that many frogs find perfect for breeding in. From the discussion came the idea of rating frog by what orientation they like their film canisters to be in so the frogs will use them for breeding.

Some people prefer clear film canisters, (like those of Fuji film), while others an opaque white, (Illford), or classic shiny black, (Kodak). There are a large number of other styles available from flat black to oval containers. I often use containers that are of similar size but are not film canisters, such as fruit fly vials.

Vertical

Placing the film canister straight up and down with the opening facing up. Often a little water is needed in the bottom and the eggs are laid at the interface between the water and air.

Tilted

With the container slanted at 45deg. and filled half full of water it mimics the axil of a bromeliad. Eggs will be laid at the edge of the water often just above or below it. It is somewhat shocking that if either the slant of water is missing the frogs will often not breed in the container.

Horizontal

A number of frogs will actively breed in film container laying on its side. Maybe these remind the frogs of the enclosed spaces between leaves. Sometimes the mouth of the container should be tilted slightly up so that it holds a little water and keeps the humidity height in the container..

Inverted

Vertical surfaces are the preferences of some frogs for laying sites. Upside down film canisters give protected vertical surfaces that fit such needs.

Inverted "Hut"

Some frogs are just too large for film canisters. A halved coconut shell (called a Honeymoon Hut by hobbyists) or an upside down flower pot, with an entrance cut in it, will often be used by these frogs. Placing a small dish on the floor of the container will give the animals a good place to lay their eggs.