Frogs being pets is interesting; despite their intimidating features, you’ll find their actions cute. However, before considering getting one as your amphibian pet, you need to read more about them to understand them better.
Is it safe to have frogs as pets? Don’t they bring disease? Are they poisonous? These are the common misconceptions about frogs being pets, which is quite wrong.
Several types of frogs make good pets. However, caring for frogs as pets is not similar to having a dog or cat. Although they have a calm demeanor, they do not like being cuddled or petted, or handled frequently; most of the frogs that can be cared for as pets are appreciated from a distance.
Plus, they require unique care. For instance:
- Some pet frogs are sensitive when being handled, causing the frog’s skin to irritate. So, when handling a pet frog, you need to use moistened latex or vinyl gloves.
- Some frogs secrete toxins from their skin, causing skin irritation to their handlers.
- Some pet frogs can become aggressive for unknown reasons.
What type of frogs can make good pets?
If you are considering getting a frog as a pet and if it is your first time to have one, here is a list of the most popular pet frogs for beginners that you can choose from:
- Horned Frogs, also known as “Pacman” frogs.
- American bullfrog
- White’s tree frog
- African dwarf frog
- Amazon milk frog
- American green tree frog
- Red-eyed tree frog
- Tomato frog
- Gray tree frog
How do you choose the right frog pet for you?
When choosing a frog as a pet, you need to consider a lot of factors, including the following:
#1: Know the difference between a toad and a frog
Frogs and toads, physical trait-wise, are different. Frogs have smooth, slimy, and moist skin, while toads have thicker, bumpy, and dry skin. Also, frogs have different habitats from toads. The former prefer humid, moist habitats, while toads prefer dry homes.
So, which do you prefer most? A frog or a toad?
#2: Choosing between a captive-bred or a wild one
Ideally, for beginners, captive-bred frogs are the best option. These frogs are guaranteed healthy and unaggressive towards their handlers.
If you are confident about handling frogs and if you want to explore your skills being an amphibian pet owner, you may consider getting recently captured frog pets. However, to ensure that the frog is healthy, you need to bring it to a licensed reptile and amphibian veterinarian.
#3: The size of the frog
Frog pots come in different sizes. They can be relatively small, like the tree frogs, or big like the large ground-dwelling horned frogs.
The size of your frog pet will determine the size of your frog’s terrarium or enclosure. If you are considering choosing a small type of frog, a 10-gallon-tank will provide enough space for a small frog to move around. Meanwhile, if you are planning to get a bigger frog pet, a 10-20-gallon tank as its terrarium, is enough.
How to make an ideal enclosure for your pet frog?
- Choose the ideal size of the tank or enclosure for your pet frog.
- Add the substrate to the ground.
- Add some sticks or logs.
- Add plants or vines, especially for tree-climbing frogs.
- Small water dish.
- Add correct lighting.
- Bring the thermometer and hygrometer.
- Misting
Final Thoughts
Frogs are hands-off pets; they are calm and interestingly cute. However, before getting a frog as a pet, you must have enough knowledge about frog handling and growing.
Lastly, always purchase frog pets or reptiles from a licensed seller.