If you want to keep frogs, maybe the American Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea) could be the right choice. While you can't pet them like a cat, these tree frogs are cute and fun to watch. This one reptile prefers to live alone. So you just have to keep one. With proper care and feeding, these cute little frogs can be fun companions for up to 5 years. If you are looking for a pet that is easy to care for, or a “beginner” pet for older children, the green tree frog can be a great choice.
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Method 1 of 3: Buying Frogs
Step 1. Look up information from several stores
Before buying a frog, try going to a few pet stores to see what they have to offer. Different stores have different quality standards with regard to the frogs they buy and the care they provide after the frogs are in the store. Happy and healthy frogs are easier to care for and will live longer.
- Look for frogs with bright green skin. Healthy American tree frogs range in color from light lime green to dark olive green or emerald green, with creamy white to yellow stripes on the sides and creamy white belly. His skin color will change slightly as a camouflage effort and to indicate mood swings.
- Look for frogs that have bright eyes and look alert.
- Avoid frogs that have brown spots, dull skin, or dryness. Extreme discoloration, such as turning yellow-green or dark brown, indicates stress or illness.
Step 2. Always try to buy bred frogs
Wild frogs caught from the wild can carry diseases that will spread to other pet frogs. Wild toads are used to living freely and experiencing the stress of being confined. Therefore, keeping it as a pet is a cruel act. Wild toads may also be so old that you can only keep them for a short time.
Step 3. Place only one species of frog for each habitat
If you want to buy a new type of frog, you will need to prepare a different terrarium for their habitat. Toads of different species also require different care.
- Some species of frogs can be dangerous if placed with other species. This condition can make frogs experience stress.
- Toads are also cannibalistic animals and that means small frogs can be lunch for larger frogs.
Step 4. Don't forget to wear gloves
The green tree frog does not need love and affection. Frogs are observational animals (just observe them) so they don't like to be touched. Frogs' skin is very fragile and the oils on your skin can be harmful to them.
Step 5. Determine the sex of the frog
You don't really need to know the sex of the frog, but males tend to be louder than females. If you want to put it in the bedroom, you should buy a female frog.
- Male toads are usually smaller than females and have a yellow or greenish-yellow throat.
- When it reaches the age of 1 year, male frogs begin to make calls. This call gets louder and louder and lasts about 20 seconds.
- Female toads are usually larger than males, and have a creamy white throat.
- The female toad does not make calls all the time, but she will give a brief response to the call of the male toad. Sometimes, female toads also make stress calls when held or when other frogs are nearby.
Step 6. Put the new frog into quarantine
Before placing a new frog in the same cage as another frog, you must place it in a separate cage for at least 3 months. If the frog doesn't show any signs of disease, infection, or parasites after 3 months, you can put it with another frog.
This long quarantine period is necessary because symptoms of the disease or parasite may take some time to develop
Method 2 of 3: Setting Up a Frog Habitat
Step 1. Buy a glass aquarium
Frogs are animals that come from a semitropical climate so they need the same type of environment as their original habitat. Glass aquariums are perfect for use because they are easy to clean and you can see the frogs clearly from the outside.
- You must purchase an aquarium with a capacity of at least 40 liters. If you can provide a larger aquarium, the frogs will love it.
- Try to find a cage that is taller than wider, as frogs prefer to move vertically.
- Add an aquarium cover made of a non-solid material (eg mosquito net) to ensure good ventilation. If you have other pets in the house, buy a cover with a lock to keep your frog safe.
Step 2. Place a layer (substrate) on the bottom of the cage
Artificial substrate would be better because it reduces the risk of toads ingesting something else while eating. Arrange the layers on the bottom of the cage carefully and make sure there are no exposed areas on the edges that could cause the frogs to get trapped and hurt.
- A good substrate choice is artificial grass (Astroturf), which you can buy at a hardware or pet store.
- You can also use reptile mats that you can buy at pet stores.
Step 3. Add artificial cage facilities
This cage will be a home for the frog and he needs facilities for climbing such as logs, rocks, and twigs. Arrange the logs diagonally, from corner to corner, and angled upwards, from a low point to a higher point so the frog can climb over it.
Artificial cage facilities are easy to clean and you can find a variety of them online or at pet stores
Step 4. Add natural amenities from nature if necessary
The best choices include driftwood, bark, branches and twigs. If these items were collected from the outside, you should disinfect them before placing them in the frog's habitat.
- Soak them in a solution of water mixed with mild bleach overnight (the bleach to water ratio is 1:3).
- Remove the items from the bleach solution and soak them in clean water for another night.
- Air dry them before setting them in the aquarium. The soaking process will kill any bacteria or insects that could harm the frog.
- Smell each item before placing it in the cage to make sure it doesn't emit a strong odor.
Step 5. Add the leaves
You can use live or artificial plants. It is usually more difficult to keep live plants indoors. So, it would be better if you use artificial plants. Artificial plants are also easier to clean and more options are available. You can find them online or at your local pet store.
- You can also use air plants or live plants that don't need soil or water (these can survive with the occasional light spray). Just make sure the plants are not exposed to direct sunlight or hot lights so they don't dry out.
- The leaves are quite a lot to provide "protection" for the frog so he feels more secure.
Step 6. Prepare a suitable water bowl
Toads need a bowl of water big enough that they can climb up and get into it. Frogs want to dive in and poop in their water bowls. Choose a bowl that is heavy enough so that the frogs won't topple it over. Most pet stores sell bowls specially designed for tiny amphibians, in small ponds that give the aquarium a natural look.
Don't forget to clean the water bowl every day or whenever it looks dirty to prevent bacterial infection
Step 7. Add a heat source
If you have a glass terrarium, you can use a heater mounted under the tank, in one corner (never place it in the middle). Otherwise, you can install a nighttime heating lamp (no more than 15 watts) above the aquarium, at the highest point of the frog's habitat.
- Never use a heater for a wooden cage as this can cause a fire.
- Try placing the stone in the area where you installed the heater. The stone will absorb the heat. Toads will love to sit on a warm rock.
- If installing the heat source over the aquarium, make sure you place a cover (not solid) between the frog and the light bulb.
Step 8. Adjust the temperature and humidity of the cage
Green tree frogs are nocturnal animals so they don't need special lighting. However, you will need to adjust the temperature and humidity levels to keep the frog healthy and comfortable.
- Daytime temperatures in the hottest places (near the heater) should be around 25 °C in cold weather and 26 °C in hot weather.
- The rest of the aquarium (areas not adjacent to the heater) should be around 24 °C in cold weather, and 25 °C in hot weather.
- At night, you should adjust the cage temperature to around 21 °C in cold weather and 24 °C in hot weather.
- Try to keep the humidity in the tank around 30% in cold weather and 35% in hot weather.
- Install a thermometer and humidity gauge in the terrarium to ensure proper conditions.
Step 9. Do not put the terrarium in the bedroom
Male toads croak very loudly at night and will wake you up. If noise is keeping you from sleeping, it's a good idea to place the toad in another room that isn't used for sleeping.
- Female toads are quieter than males, but you should anticipate the possibility of toads making noise from time to time.
- Toads will also shriek in response to vacuum cleaners, running water, lawn mowers, and some TV commercials.
- Male toads can make loud calls during low humidity levels. That means the frog gives a warning that it will rain.
Method 3 of 3: Caring for Frogs
Step 1. Moisten and spray the frog every day
Make sure the water bowl is always clean and filled with fresh water. Spray toads and cages with water daily to keep their habitat moist.
- Frogs have skin that can absorb water. It drinks and breathes through its skin.
- Always use distilled water for your pet frog.
- Tap water, even chlorinated, still contains heavy metals and other contaminants that are harmful to frogs.
Step 2. Feed crickets and other insects
Toads love a variety of insects, including crickets, moths, woodlice, and dubia or lobster cockroaches. You can buy feeding kits online or at pet stores.
- Try to feed insects that are no larger than the width between their eyes.
- Do not feed insects that you catch outdoors to frogs as they may be infected with parasites or contain harmful pesticides.
- Some insects are poisonous to toads. Never feed ladybugs, bedbugs, centipedes or praying mantis.
Step 3. Give the frog a variety of foods
Good nutrition is obtained from various types of food. This will prolong the frog's life and increase its resistance to disease. In addition to insects, you can feed other small animals that are small enough to fit into their mouths easily. You can buy it at a pet store or online. It may not be safe to feed wild insects and worms from your garden to frogs because their safety is not guaranteed.
- Remember that toads eat live animals. If you're disgusted by feeding live insects to your toad, it's a good idea to choose another pet.
- Try feeding him caterpillar larvae, such as wax worms, hornworms, and silkworms.
- Occasionally you can also feed him earthworms or red wigglers.
Step 4. Provide vitamin and mineral supplements for frogs
Sprinkle insect feed with calcium powder containing D3, multivitamin powder and minerals. You can get ready-made, long-lasting, and inexpensive mixes. Sprinkle vitamins on frog food every 2-4 meals, more often for young frogs.
Step 5. Clean the terrarium regularly
Once a month, you need to clean the entire tank and wash everything in it with hot water. Let the items cool before returning them to their original place. Also, you should check it regularly (daily) and clean it to get rid of dirt, damaged plants, and dead insects.
- If you must handle a toad to clean its habitat, wet your hands with chlorinated water (eg bottled water). The natural oils present on your skin can be toxic to frogs.
- Do not use chemical cleaners. When cleaning a frog aquarium, never use chemicals. Even a small amount of chemical can burn a frog's skin, or even kill it.
Tips
- Green tree frogs that live in cages can generally survive for 2-5 years.
- If you keep other lizards or toads, buy a new tank for the new frogs. Never put a lizard and a toad in the same cage as the two animals have completely different needs.
Warning
- Try as much as possible not to manipulate the frog. This can cause stress and the frog's skin is very sensitive. Oils, lotions, soaps, and so on, left on your skin can poison frogs. These reptiles also like to jump everywhere. So, be careful!
- Treatment for toads is not cheap. Be prepared to spend a lot of money.
- Never use soap or chemicals to clean the aquarium. Toads can absorb chemicals easily through the skin.
- If you are easily disgusted, a toad may not be the right pet because you will have to feed the frogs live insects.
