Frogs As Pets – Everything You Need To Know As Beginner!

When we talk about the amphibian world, the first animal that comes into everyone’s mind is the frog. Frogs have unique life cycles, metamorphoses, and shifting from two different major classes of Animalia in the same life attract many. The vibrant colors and shapes, and sizes that vary a lot with different breeds and species are enough to spark any pet owner’s enthusiasm. However, when it comes to keeping frogs as pets, the first question that pop’s into anyone’s mind is if frogs do well as pets. Moreover, how can we take care of a frog at home? And what are the other considerations you need to focus on when it comes to having a pet frog at home? In this article, we are going to discuss all these questions in detail, along with all the other aspects you need to consider when it comes to having a pet frog. So, continue reading to learn all the essential information about having a pet frog.

Frogs As Amazing Pets

Frogs are undoubtedly the best pets in the amphibian class. They not only provide you the pleasure of having a little friend with you but also give you a chance to learn a lot more about nature. The best part about having a frog as the pet is that these are super low maintenance and do well at home.

Do Frogs Like Humans?

Not only genetically but also physiologically and anatomically, frogs and humans are a match made in heaven. Probably that’s the reason why the magician in “Princess and Frog” turned the prince into the frog! (chuckles)

Frogs in the wild are afraid of human interaction as they mark them as their rivals. However, in captivity, if you interact with your frog positively and take care of it, it will also love you back.

Do Frogs Like To Be A Pet?

Obviously, no living creature likes a captive life. However, if you are vigilant enough to provide a good climate and living conditions, your frog will love to be your pet and will not try to run away. Moreover, make sure to make the place secure for your pet with a good supply of food and water closer to the natural environment to keep it with you for a long time.

Frog Food Requirements:

Like any pet, you have to consider the food requirements of your pet carefully. However, there is a long debate on knowing the exact food group of the frog in the food web. Let us discuss a bit

Are frogs omnivores, herbivores, or carnivores?

You cannot specify one for all the stages of the frog’s life. The type of food group varies significantly as the frog ages from larvae to tadpole and adult stage. Therefore, they are more precisely known as “Life History Omnivores.“

Immature tadpoles are exclusively herbivores
As tadpoles mature, they are inclined to scavenging omnivores and eat plants, algae, dead insects, etc.

An adult frog becomes a carnivore and hunt on live bugs and insects on the pond water. They eat almost everything that can be captured and fits into their mouth.

Feeding Variation Of Frogs At Different Stages Of Life Cycle

So, feed your frog depending on their age and species.

So, when it comes to feeding the food to your frog, can you provide frogs the same food like humans? What are the foods suitable for frogs on our table? And what are the specific requirements you need to follow for a frog? Walk through our blog to have the detailed information on all the feeding requirements of a frog.

Also, you need to include calcium supplements. The requirement of supplements vary a lot according to frog’s specie, age and condition.

Legal Allowance Of Having A Frog As A Pet

In most of the countries, all the tadpoles, frogs, and frog spawns are protected under the law. In any case, the collection of the frog from the wild is strictly prohibited, especially of those of endangered species. Moreover, the release of frogs in the backyard or raising a frog with a purpose to release in the natural habitat is also illegal. Doing this can significantly affect the natural colonies of animals and endanger the life of the pet being released into the wild. The national and international trafficking of wild species of frogs without special permission is also not allowed by law. Therefore you need to be vigilant about your country’s law before having a frog as a pet.

Can You Keep A Garden Frog As A Pet?

The same rule goes for capturing the frog from any other place. However, it is possible to capture the frog from your garden and keep it as your pet. However, legally it is not allowed. It is also against the ethical code as it will seize the animal’s habitat and affect its natural cycle. Capturing frogs carelessly from anywhere will endanger the species, especially that of rare species, by threatening their lives and hindering their reproductions. Moreover, it is not easy to train a frog that was captured from the wild, and it is also difficult to know its habit and feeding schedules. So, you should avoid keeping garden frogs as pets.

Is it Cruel To Have Frogs As Pets?

It is cruel to have wild frogs as pets. Moreover, if you cannot provide enough space and proper habitat for your pet, then it will be highly unsuitable if you have them as a pet. If you are confident that you can accurately comply with all the conditions, have them as your pets and develop a loving, strong relationship with them.

Classification Of Frog

Here is the general classification of frog in kingdom Animalia along with a few information bullets:

Kingdom	Animalia
Phyllum	Chordata
Class	Amphibia
Scientific Name	Pyxicephalus adspersus
Common Name	Frog
Adult Size	2 to 5-1/2 inches
Life Expectancy	4-15 years

Family, genus, and species name usually vary with the type of frog under study

Handling Frogs

If you ask, do frogs love to be handled? Well, the answer is yes but not too much

It is not because they do not like you or do not want to be disturbed. The only reason is their sensitive skin. Frogs have susceptible skin, which can become quite itchy and affected by lots of handling. So, if you love to cuddle with your pet a lot, a frog might not be an option for you.

Etiquettes Of Handling A Frog:

Wash your hands. Make sure your hands are clear of any detergent, chemicals, soap, including makeup products and sunscreen. Your frog’s skin is too sensitive to bear them.
The best option is wearing powder-free vinyl gloves. It will not only protect your frog’s skin. Still, it will also prevent you from gathering harmful salmonella and toxins from frog’s skin. These gloves are pretty inexpensive and can be easily ordered from Amazon.

Now, place your thumb on the back of the frog just below its head. Scoop up your little friend with love by fingers around the torso. In this way, the frog will be lying on your fingers comfortably.
You may also place your thumb underneath and your middle finger and index finger on top and apply a little pressure to avoid your pet from escaping. Make sure not to squeeze it too hard.

Can You Touch A Pet Frog?

The answer to this most frequent question is clear now. You can hold your pet frog occasionally. However, do not try to hold wild frogs as they release skin toxins and also harbor harmful bacteria on their skin. Moreover, do not disturb adult chubby frogs a lot. They mind a lot of interventions.

Enclosure For A Pet Frog

Material Of Container

The best enclosures for pet frogs are glass aquariums. They not only offer a clear viewing but also are easy to clean and are pretty long-lasting. There also come plastic enclosures, which are less expensive than glass enclosures but can corrode with time due to constant UV light.

Size Of Container

You can have a 90cm container for up to 3 frogs

Inside Of Aquarium

Now what to put inside of the aquarium of the frog. You may line up the base with rocks, wood pieces, and palm peat. You may also include understorey plants and other aquarium plants. These plants are not only aesthetically pleasing but also provide the frog a place to hide, which will increase a sense of security.

However, make sure to take care of living matter inside the aquarium or become the hotspot for bacterial invasion. Therefore, having plastic plants is a much better option. They give the same effects and are easy to maintain inside the aquarium.

Also, include sticks and stones in the enclosure. This will not only give it a more natural look but also will give the frog a hopping point to jump to dry land.The enclosure must be secure and sturdy enough to avoid the frog from escaping. You may install a flywire on a tight-fitting frame. This assembly is best for ventilation and security and also allows enough UV light to seep down the water. Place the aquarium away from the areas of smoke, aerosol sprays, cigarette, and cooking fumes. Better place it under direct sunlight if possible.

The Temperature Of Enclosure:

Maintain the temperature of the aquarium close to the natural habitat of the frog. Keep it warm and maintain the humidity of the environment. Keep the temperature above 10 degrees centigrade. It is lethal to have a temperature below this range. The best temperature range for frogs is 24°C to 26°C at an air temperature of around 18°C. Place a heater in water to maintain the temperature and not forget to surround it with proper guards.Creating a waterfall will increase evaporation and will help to maintain optimal environmental humidity.

Lightning Requirements

Frogs need adequate UVA/UVB light for their healthy metabolism and growth. Although most of them are nocturnal(i.e., they are more active during the night), they need light during the day. You may place a suitable light source with a timer for 6 hours. It will be enough for the frogs to get enough levels of UV light for healthy metabolism, plants to grow and decontaminate the tank.

Water

Like green tree frogs, most of the frogs do not drink water but absorb it from the skin. So, make sure to maintain the 24/7 supply of fresh and clean water. Tap water has lots of chlorine in it which can be quite harmful to a frog. So, neutralize it before introducing it into the tank. Also, use water conditioning products to improve water quality and avoid any unrequired growth of microbes. Hot water from taps is also toxic for frogs as it contains traces of copper. Use a small gentle water filter to have the best results.

Breeding Of Frogs

Frogs follow the method of external fertilization. The females lay eggs in the water, and male sperms fertilize them there. However, a few species of frogs follow internal fertilization. Like that of green tree frogs, the usually breeding age of frogs is up to one year. Females produce more than 2500 eggs at one time. These eggs hatch into tadpoles which can then be separated into different containers. They can be easily kept in a warm place where they eat unhatched eggs and as each other. However, you need to provide soft plant material such as boiled lettuce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Pet Frogs Smell Bad?

Frogs usually smell due to dirty, foul-smelling water in the tank. So, clean the tank regularly if your frog has started smelling bad. Moreover, some frog species produce specific odors. These odors sometimes become their identification. However, the purpose of these smells is still unknown.

Do Pet Frogs Bite? How Much its bite hurt?

Yes, frogs can bit. However, for most of the frogs, their jaws are not too strong to have a powerful bite. Therefore, the bite from the frog does not hurt much. A frog bite may be a bit painful or may draw a few drops of blood. However, some huge chubby frogs have strong jaws and can have strong bites, which can hurt a lot.

Are Frogs A Bad Omen?

One of the most common superstitions is that frogs are a bad omen. I, myself, have frogs at my home and believe me, it has nothing to do with anything happening around me.

Are Pet Frogs Noisy?

Frogs are nocturnal animals. So, the sounds actually resonate in the dark. Moreover, they usually croak in the spring season, which is mating season. As there is not much change of temperature and environment in captivity, therefore they are mostly silent.

Which Disease Do Frogs Carry?

Most of the amphibians, including frogs and toads, carry salmonella on their skin. This bacteria is very harmful to humans and can cause the symptoms of food poisoning, including vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.

Are Frogs Suitable For Children?

Well, children usually ask for fun pets. However, frogs do not like a lot much handling. Moreover, it would be best if you did not allow your younger kids to handle a frog. Having a “no-touch and watch “rule is quite impractical. So, better avoid fogs for kids until they are mature enough to understand the precautions.

What Diseases Kill Frogs?

A fungus known as Bd and chytrid fungus affects the skin of frogs and toads. It eats up their skin and rots them away. This fungus is known to decrease the frog population a lot. It has also affected many amphibian species in the past. The virus also causes lethal diseases in frogs.

Do Frogs Feel Pain?

Frogs have pain receptors and sensory pathways. It is widely believed that frogs do not experience much pain or the intensity is not the same as higher animal kingdom creatures.

Do Salt Kill Frogs?

Frogs die when they become highly dehydrated. Therefore, be careful about the amount of salt in the water you are putting in the tank. High salt water is the primary element that kills frogs in the tank.

Do Frogs Attract Snakes?

Large water tanks outdoor with frogs hopping around may attract a passing snake to have lunch.

Do Frogs Leave Poop?

Yes, like all other animals, frogs also need to eliminate waste from their body. Droppings are usually an inch long and look like a rat’s droppings. Frog’s usually poop after having insects.

Do Frogs Lay Eggs In Swimming Pools?

Frogs usually follow external fertilization; therefore, they lay eggs in water.

Are Frogs Smart?

Frogs, in terms f intelligence, are more inclined to lower mammals or reptiles. However, a few species have intelligence up to the levels of birds and mammals. However, despite all this intelligence, you cannot tame your frog a lot as they do not love petting much.

Do Frogs Have Emotions?

Theoretically and anatomically, frogs do not have any emotions. However, they tend to recognize their owner with time and feel safe in their presence. Moreover, they also seem excited at the sight of food.

How Can You Tell If The Frog Is Poisonous?

Some frogs release toxins from their skin. None of them transfer it through their bite. So, frogs can be poisonous but not venomous. Frogs usually are not poisonous until it is 12 months of age. Also, you can see a milky liquid on the skin if the gland is squeezed. The poisonous dart frog is most famous in the family of frogs for its toxic secretions.

Conclusion

Having a frog as a pet is great. However, learn a lot before having one at your home. If you like to play a lot with your pet or want it for children, a frog may not be the option for you. I hope this article clears most of your questions. For detailed information, surf through our website and know everything about having a pet frog. If you still have any questions do contact us. We would be happy to help.

Mehwish Imtiaz

I am a graduate of a veterinary university. Dealing with all the kinds of pets from the dawn to dusk, it’s like understanding their language. That is the best time ever, I must say!

Writing has always been my orphenadrine. I love to share my experience and talk about the most common issues people have been facing with their pets. My writing career began in 2015. I aimed to work for pets to share my experience and make pet humans relation a lot better. I usually talk about the most significant or recurrent cases of the day. During my practice at pet centre, I face a lot of questions by pet owners. Moreover, I also own a variety of pets myself including different species of mammals, birds and reptiles.

Therefore, I have decided to educate all the pet owners about their little friends who can’t talk the way we do. Understanding what they are telling us is all we need to do. And most of us fail to perceive.

So, I am here to serve the purpose. Let’s help each other in better understanding the needs, behaviours, and problems of our best friends with the best possible solutions!

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