Frogs are cute little creatures that make them unusual and useful pets. However, there are many, many types of frogs out there, each with different care needs. Use this article as a general guideline for selecting and caring for your pet frog, but be prepared to do more in-depth research on the type of frog you choose.
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Part 1 of 3: Choosing a Pet Frog
Step 1. Get used to frogs that have good breeds for beginners
One thing to be aware of about frogs is that there are many different types of frog species available – some are easy to handle, while others take a lot of time and specialized knowledge. If this is your first pet frog, it is highly recommended that you choose a frog breed suitable for beginners, such as:
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African dwarf frog:
African dwarf frogs are a great choice for beginners because they are small, active and easy to care for. They do not need to eat live food and they live in water entirely.
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Fire-bellied Oriental toad:
This toad is a great choice for beginners who want a land-dwelling frog. They are quite active and don't grow too big.
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White's tree frog:
White's tree frogs are probably the easiest tree frogs to care for – they are quite active, easy to feed and even allow themselves to be held for a long time (which is unusual for frogs).
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Pacman Frog:
The pacman frog is large, living on land which is easy to care for. They tend to be sedentary, which reduces the container needed to care for them but makes them boring pets for children.
- As a beginner, you should avoid poison frogs or frogs that cost a lot of money. Poison frogs tend to be more fragile and require complex care, while more expensive frogs are a risky choice for first-timers. It's better to start with frogs that are inexpensive, easy to breed and suit you.
Step 2. Avoid keeping wild frogs as pets
While it's possible to catch wild frogs and keep them as pets, there are a lot of things you should consider first.
- First, it will be difficult to identify the type of frog you catch. Different types of frogs will have different requirements regarding food, temperature and habitat, so if you keep a wild frog in the wrong conditions, the frog may die.
- If you decide to pick up frogs from the outdoors, be sure to take note of the surroundings where you caught them. Whether the surroundings are leafy, forest grassy, hiding under rocks or swimming in ponds.
- However, you still have to find out what kind of frog you're catching, by searching online for pictures, consulting books about frogs or asking an expert. This will help you identify the special needs of the frogs you have caught.
- Second, many types of frogs that you find are experiencing population decline or even extinction. Taking frogs from their natural habitat can disturb the frog population, especially if the frog species is threatened with extinction.
- In fact, taking protected species from the wild is illegal in certain areas, so be sure to check your country's regulations before catching wild frogs.
Step 3. Consider the size of the frog and the container needed
The size of your frog (when it's an adult) and the size of your frog's container are major considerations when you choose your pet frog.
- Sometimes, the smallest frog in a pet store will become a giant frog when it grows up. For example, the pixie frog (anyone would mistake this for a miniature frog) is initially under an inch (2.54 cm) long, but can grow until it is over eight inches (20.32 cm).
- Big frogs need a large container. For example, an adult bullfrog needs a container of 75 gallons (283.5 Liters), or more. If they are kept in containers that are too small, these frogs become unhappy and sick.
- Large containers take up a lot of space in the house and require more effort to keep them clean. These frogs also eat more food, making them more expensive to feed than smaller types of frogs.
- This is another reason to do your research first and find out the exact breed of frogs before you buy them.
Step 4. Consider the frog's feeding needs
Before you want to buy the cutest (or ugliest depending on preference) frog in the store, you have to find out what the frog eats.
- Most types of frogs like to eat crickets, worms (such as red wigglers and night crawlers) and other terrible creatures. However, it's still important to remember that frogs generally prefer live food, especially if you don't want that to be the case.
- Larger frogs require more substantial food, which may include mice, goldfish, or guppies. Providing your frog with this would be a big job and not for the faint-hearted!
- In addition, you should consider where your frog's food sources are – your local grocery store may not stock live crickets! Do you have a pet supply store near you that caters to the needs of exotic animals?
- Of course, you can find food for your word in the backyard but this is time consuming and uncertain. In addition, plant pests usually have been exposed to insect repellent, which is not healthy for your frog.
Step 5. Find out how active your type of frog is
Another major consideration is the liveliness of the type of frog you choose. This is especially important if you are keeping this frog as a child's pet, because most children want a pet that keeps them entertained.
- Larger, quieter, or odd-looking frogs are popular choices among beginner frog keepers, but these frogs tend to be less active and look like statues and sleep all day. These frogs can get boring very quickly.
- If you are looking for a more active frog, it is better to choose smaller frogs, water frogs and certain types of tree frogs, as these frogs will jump or swim more often, making them more interesting to look at.
- Keep in mind that even the most active frogs won't do much other than jump or eat crickets – you can't take your frog for walks, train it to do certain tricks or hold it too long. Therefore, it is important to consider whether the frog is an ideal pet for you (or your child).
Step 6. Understand that raising frogs is a commitment
It's important to realize that keeping a pet frog requires a different time commitment than raising a goldfish – in fact, large frogs, if properly cared for, can live up to 25 years!
- As a result, you'll need to be prepared to take care of your frog for years to come – to feed it, keep its environment clean and take care of it when it's sick.
- You have to keep thinking about how you will cope with the upcoming holidays, because someone will have to take care of your frog while you are traveling. Volunteers looking to care for your frog will be hard to find if your frog only eats live crickets, or even mice !
- If you have a frog as a pet but you find that it's too much work or too expensive to care for, you need to get rid of it the right way.
- If you pick up a wild frog from your backyard or local park, you should be able to free it from the same spot you found it. Release your frog as close to its original location as possible – whether it used to be under a leaf in a forest or beside a river.
- However, if you buy your frog in the store, a type that doesn't live in nature, you won't be able to release it in the wild. You'll need to return your frog to the pet store, sell your frog to a new owner, donate your frog to your local school to be used as a class pet, or contact an animal care organization near you.
Step 7. Understand whether you need a license
In some places, you need a certain license to keep a certain frog as your pet, especially if the frog is endangered or poisonous.
- For example, the African clawed frog is illegal in states like California and Oregon, as it poses a threat to native wildlife populations if released.
- Contact your local government office for more information on licensing requirements in your area.
Part 2 of 3: Keeping Frogs at Home
Step 1. Find out what type of container your frog needs
Different types of frogs have different requirements regarding the container needed, so make sure you know that before buying the frog you want.
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Container for Mainland Frogs:
This is the easiest type of frog container, but you can only use it on frogs that come from a dry environment.
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Container for Water Frog:
This is the type of frog jar used for frogs that live in water – it's simply like an aquarium filled with water, like a fish tank.
- ' Half and half containers: This is the most common type of frog container, where one part of the container is filled with water, and the other side is dry. Most frogs will do well in this kind of environment.
- Container for Tree Frogs: Containers for tree frogs are specifically designed for tree frogs that spend a lot of time climbing on branches. These containers are usually taller and narrower than most frog containers.
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Pool:
In some situations, you can still keep the original type of frog in your backyard pond. Sometimes building a pond will attract other frogs to your yard and you won't have any trouble catching all the frogs! However, never keep frogs that are not from the wild in your outdoor pond, as they may disturb the ecosystem by eating native frogs and other rare insects.
Step 2. Place the frog container in a suitable location
When you have a frog container, you have to decide where to put it.
- Container frogs should be kept out of direct sunlight at all times, as this will increase the temperature inside the container, and make the container uncomfortable (and possibly dangerous) dry and hot in the container frog.
- Frog containers should be kept away from the kitchen, as the fumes and steam from cooking can harm your frog.
- You also need to be careful to make sure no aerosol spray gets into the frog's container (such as paint spray in the garage or hairspray in the bedroom) because aerosols can be absorbed through the frog's skin, potentially making the frog sick.
Step 3. Fill the frog container with the proper substrate material
Substrate is the material used to cover the bottom of the frog's container. The main considerations when choosing a substrate are how moist or dry a frog container is and how easy it is to clean.
- Pebbles are a great choice for most types of frogs – pebbles are easy to clean and come in a variety of colors and sizes. Other good choices include soil, pine bark, sand and cedar or pine shavings.
- Once the substrate material is in place, you can arrange the decorations inside the frog case the way your frog likes it! You can cover the pebbles with a layer of moss, which makes the frog container look more natural. Be sure to keep the moss moist by spraying water on the moss as often as possible and remember to keep an eye out for any mold that may develop.
- Putting some rocks or rocks in the frog's container is a good option, as it gives your frog something to climb up on. Make sure that the rock does not have sharp edges, as this could injure the frog.
- You can also decorate your word case with plastic twigs or small live plants, while a hollow log makes a great hiding place. Buy or make a colorful background for your frog case, such as a tropical forest backdrop, as this will help your frog feel right in its natural habitat.
Step 4. Calculate your frog's light and temperature requirements
The temperature and heating requirements for your frog will vary depending on the type of frog you are, so be sure to do your research before you set up your frog case.
- Unlike lizards, snakes and turtles, most frogs do not need special lighting, because they get all their vitamin D needs through food.
- However, you'll usually still need to provide a light source for 12 hours a day, especially if your frog case doesn't receive natural light.
- Fluorescent lamps are the best choice for frogs, as they tend not to overheat. Hot light can harm the frog, if the frog jumps into the light.
- When it comes to heating, the ideal temperature for your frog will depend on the breed. The easiest way to change the temperature inside your frog's container is to change the temperature of the entire room.
- Alternatively, you can buy a heating lamp (which sits on top of the frog's jar) or a heating pad (which wraps around the outside of your frog's tin) to raise the temperature inside the frog's case.
- If you need to heat water in a water frog container or a half and half container (a frog container where some is filled with water and part is dry), you need to buy a glass tube or a water heater pump.
- Make sure to run the heater a few days before you put the frog in the frog case. With this you can monitor the temperature inside the frog's container and make sure the temperature it produces is right for your frog.
Part 3 of 3: Feeding and Caring for Your Frog
Step 1. Feed your frog crickets (and other creepy insects)
As noted above, most types of frogs will eat crickets, caterpillars and other insects, while larger frogs will eat mice or goldfish as an occasional treat.
- How much and how often you need to feed your frog will depend on the individual frog you are and may be down to experimentation at first.
- Try feeding your frog three crickets a day for starters. If your frog quickly eats all three and looks hungry for a few days later, you can increase the number of crickets. However, if your frog only eats one or two crickets and ignores the rest, you may have to reduce the portion of crickets your frog feeds.
- You can also experiment with different types of food, such as hongkong caterpillars, waxworms and grasshoppers to see what your frog's preferences are. Water frogs generally feed on the blood of frozen caterpillars or brine shrimp.
Step 2. Keep your frog clean and free of water shortage
It is very important to provide your pet frog with clean water every day, because your frog will use clean water for drinking and bathing.
- Frogs absorb water through their skin rather than drinking it through their mouths. As a result, frogs tend to spend long periods of time sitting in water or ponds. This water should be free of chlorine, if possible.
- You will also need to clean your frog's container every few days to remove any debris, clean the sides of your frog's container, check for mold or algae and in general maintain a healthy environment for your frog.
Step 3. Avoid holding your frog
Frogs do not like to be held, clear and simple. Therefore, you should try to keep your frog in the container as much as possible and be content with just looking at it.
- If you can't resist picking up your frog, make sure your hands are washed and dry first and avoid using any lotion, as frogs can absorb it through the skin and potentially make the frog sick.
- Be aware that the frog may squirm when you pick it up and get you wet – this is a sign that your frog is stressed from being handled and you should put your frog back in its container as soon as possible.
- Be careful not to drop your frog while you are holding it – even when your frog is squirming – falling from a height can result in serious injury to your frog.
Step 4. Pay attention to your frog's health
When your frog is sick, it is very difficult to treat and there is rarely a good prognosis. Therefore, the best way to keep your frog healthy is to prevent it from getting sick.
- If your frog starts to look thinner or is malnourished, ask yourself if you're providing the right kind of food. Frogs cannot survive if they are only fed crickets or hongkong caterpillars. One of the most common is that frogs lack calcium, so consider sprinkling your frog's food with some calcium powder before you feed your frog.
- Watch for red paw markings, which are potentially fatal diseases that usually affect frogs. The red legs of the frogs indicate a red discoloration of the skin under the feet and abdomen of the frogs, while the afflicted frogs tend to be lazy and miserable. If you suspect your frog may have red feet, you should scrub your frog's container to rid it of parasites, then give your frog a daily sulfamethazine bath for two weeks.
- You also need to pay attention to fungal infections and dropsy (related to the frog's bloated stomach and abnormally soft skin) and springs (making your frog lethargic and skin discoloration). In this case, you should need treatment from a veterinarian who can give your frog the right antibiotics.
Tips
- Never use a pet store as a guide! They might be wrong! Some stores have good guidelines, but research on computers. Many pet stores err on the side of guidelines regarding hermit crabs and other animals.
- Don't let small children get close to your frog! They might squeeze it or hurt it!!
- Don't squeeze the frog!
- Freeze-dried flies are good food for your frog. You can buy them at the pet store or even at Wal-Mart.
Warning
- These maintenance guidelines apply in general. Do some research on the care your frog needs before you get one.
- Always use chlorinated water! Tap water can kill your frog unless it doesn't contain chlorine.
