Frogs as Pets

Do frogs make good pets?

Owning one or several frogs can be as enjoyable and entertaining as having a fresh or saltwater aquarium, and equally rewarding. Some frogs, like poison dart frogs, are extremely colorful, which makes them appealing pets. This article provides an overview of how to keep frogs as pets. It is a starting point if you are thinking about getting a pet frog.

What kind of environment does a frog need?

Some species of frogs, like the oriental fire-bellied toad, require a water-based, aquarium-type environment. Most other species of pet frogs need a naturalistic vivarium (enclosed area) with live plants and a safe ground cover, such as coconut fiber, garden soil, bark chips or pea gravel.

The most critical need for pet frogs is having the correct temperature and humidity setting. Most terrestrial frogs will need to be misted several times a day to prevent their skin from drying out or becoming dehydrated. Automatic misters are available online or from your local pet store. Remember, most frogs live outdoors, hiding in gardens, under ground cover, in ponds or in trees, where they are shaded from direct sunlight. Your pet frog will need similar conditions to thrive.

How should I care for a pet frog?

Except for larger frog species, like the White’s tree frog and the Pacman frog, most frogs and toads should be left alone in their cage/aquarium. A frog’s skin is very delicate and can be easily damaged by handling it.

Routine water changes and cleaning will be required to keep your frog’s environment safe and healthy. You can use a small, separate tank to house your frog while you clean their primary environment. Frogs may be scooped up in a small bucket or caught with a small net to avoid handling them too much.

Frogs that live in a vivarium must have their substrate and live plants cleaned weekly. Plants, both live and plastic, will need to be washed with water to remove caked-on feces and urine. Terrestrial-type set-ups will also need their substrate cleaned or replaced regularly, and any plants must be washed with water to remove fecal material. 

Clean food and water bowls daily, with soap and water. Aquatic-type frogs will need to be removed from the aquarium and the water suctioned out with a siphon. Paper towels can be used to wipe down the glass enclosure.

What are the most common types of frogs kept as pets?

The following list outlines commonly kept frog and toad species, their habitat, suggested temperature, and recommended diet. This summary will help you choose a frog and set up a welcoming environment. Frogs can be bought from local pet stores, some reptile/pet shows, and online.

African Dwarf Frog

• Size: 1.25–2 inches long Color: Gray and black, olive green
• Type: Aquatic
• Habitat: 10+-gallon aquarium, 12 inches tall
• Care: Moderate-maintenance
• Temperature: 72°F-80°F
• Diet: Frog/tadpole pellets, fish food, worms

American Toad

• Size: 3 inches long
• Color: Brown
• Type: Terrestrial
• Habitat: 10-gallon terrarium
• Care: Low maintenance
• Temperature: Room temperature
• Diet: Insects, toad pellets

Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad

• Size: 2–3 inches long
• Color: Green with red, orange, or yellow bellies
• Type: Aquatic
• Habitat: 10-gallon aquarium (half water, half land)
• Care: Moderate maintenance
• Temperature: 65°F-82°F
• Diet: Insects

Pacman Frog (a.k.a. South American Horned Frog)

• Size: Up to 8 inches long
• Color: Various, often green with brown spots
• Type: Terrestrial
• Habitat: 10-gallon terrarium
• Care: Low maintenance
• Temperature: 75°F-85°F
• Diet: Insects

Poison Dart Frog

• Size: 0.5–2 inches long
• Color: Olive green, blue with black stripes, red with black stripes, yellow with black stripes, gold
• Type: Terrestrial/semi-aquatic
• Habitat: 10-gallon to 20-gallon aquarium
• Care: Moderate maintenance
• Temperature: 75°F
• Diet: Ants, beetles, flightless fruit flies

Pixie Frog (a.k.a. Edible Bullfrog)

• Size: 3.5–10 inches long
• Color: Olive green
• Type: Terrestrial/semi-aquatic
• Habitat: 20-gallon aquarium
• Care: Low maintenance
• Temperature: 75°F
• Diet: Large insects, small rodents

Red-Eyed Tree Frog

• Size: 2–3 inches long
• Color: Olive green with red eyes 
• Type: Terrestrial/arboreal 
• Habitat: 20-gallon to 30-gallon aquarium
• Care: Moderate maintenance
• Temperature: 75°F
• Diet: Crickets, mealworms

White’s Tree Frog

• Size: 3–4.5 inches long
• Color: Silver-green
• Type: Arboreal
• Habitat: 15-gallon terrarium
• Care: Low maintenance
• Temperature: 75°F-85°F
• Diet: Insects

What are the most common types of problems with frogs?

Owning frogs can be a lot of fun, but they do require a fair amount of work. The cage will need weekly cleaning. Except for the White’s tree frog, Pacman frog and most toads, most pet frogs should not be handled frequently. Finally, frogs require a specific humidity level in their environment to maintain good health. Different species require different humidity settings, so check with a reptile/amphibian veterinarian, pet store, or seller for specific recommendations.