Moving House with Dart Frogs in the UK: A Week-by-Week Plan

House moves are hectic. With a plan, your frogs don’t have to notice. This UK-centric checklist walks you from two weeks before the move through the first week after—what to prep, how to pack, and how to re-establish the viv fast.

Two weeks before: stabilise and stock up

• Health check: Observe frogs at feeding. Any animal looking off? Set up a small quarantine tub now.
• Culture cushion: Start extra fruit fly and springtail cultures so you have a buffer if something crashes during the move.
• Consumables: Box of bags, ventilated deli cups, cable ties, micropore tape, labels, heat/cool packs, and a lidded “vivarium bits” crate.
• Travel tubs: A sturdy option is the 10L ventilated tub (escape‑proof); add Bra‑Plast lid vents for reliable airflow.
• Plan the route & timing: Aim to travel in the mildest part of the day. Have a Plan B if heatwaves or cold snaps arrive.

One week before: pre-pack and simplify

• Hydrate plants: Give bromeliads and moss a thorough rinse two days before moving so they hold moisture.
• Remove fragile decor: Take out loose branches, tall epiphytes, and anything that could topple and trap a frog.
• Feed lightly: A modest feed 48 hours before travel reduces waste en route.

48–24 hours before: box the vivarium and prepare travel tubs

• Travel cups: Deli cups with damp sphagnum and ventilation holes. Label by species/sex if known.
• Vivarium box: Wrap the enclosure in stretch film or cling film to keep the doors shut and substrate contained. Cushion corners.
• Electrics: Coil and label cables; put thermostats, timers, and misters together in one marked bag.

Moving day: temperature, darkness, and stability

• Load frogs last, unload first. Keep them in an insulated cool box or poly box to buffer extremes.
• Temperature window: Avoid direct sun. In summer, pre-cool the car; in winter, warm the cabin before loading.
• No slosh: Keep tubs snug so they don’t rattle. Darkness reduces stress.

At the new place: fast re-set

1. Place the vivarium where it will live. Check it’s level.
2. Re-install hardscape and re-seat epiphytes. Top up drainage and mist plants.
3. Plug in heat, light, and misting. Confirm thermostats and timers.
4. Let temperatures and humidity settle for 30–60 minutes.
5. Release frogs at dusk so they can explore under low light.

For a compact, display‑ready enclosure that’s easy to set back up, see the 3D Vivarium 25×30×25 (vented, sliding door, lit). To re‑mount egg sites quickly, the BromeliHook keeps canisters secure.

First week after: observe and tune

• Feed normally, but small. Watch that everyone eats and returns to normal perches.
• Humidity: New rooms behave differently. Adjust misting to avoid glass drip or dry spells.
• Plants: Some leaves may sulk after the move; trim damaged tips and keep airflow going.

When to pause the move

If the only realistic day coincides with a severe cold snap or extreme heat, consider delaying. Amphibians are resilient, but extended exposure outside their comfort zone isn’t fair or necessary if a better window is just days away.

With a little forethought, your “moving house” becomes a routine night out for the frogs—and a quick unpack for you.