Although they are amphibians, some species of frog are becoming more and more popular as pets for children. The main reason is that they are easy to care for and aesthetically there are those who find them more pleasant than toads (although toads are a type of frog and generally have more terrestrial habits than the rest of their congeners). For this reason, in this article we will present the most common frogs when choosing a pet.
Obviously frogs need a terrarium. Here we will give you basic instructions to have a simple and affordable terrarium, suitable for people who want to start in the exciting world of amphibians.
Read this article on our site and find out about some of the frog species you can have as pets.
The terrarium
Obviously a terrarium for frogs must be closed so that the frogs don't jump and can escape from above. Another reason is to make the temperature easier to control.
The dimensions of the terrarium will be subject to the size of the frog or frogs that inhabit it. I suggest starting with a single specimen to acquire the necessary experience to be able to enjoy a colony of batrachians in the future. small.
Standard conditions for a terrarium for frogs would be a temperature of 26-27º, and that at night it should not drop below 20º.
Frogs have semi-permeable skin, which means they can become dehydrated if the terrarium environment dries out. For this reason it will be convenient that the substrate of the terrarium (coconut fiber, for example) is moist and has a container with water where it can be submerged.
From time to time we will humidify the environment with a spray bottle. We must always use water without chlorine. If we leave tap water in a container for 24 hours, the chlorine is eliminated by itself. A minimum terrarium for a frog should measure 40 x 40 x 60 cm, being always taller than wide or long.
Which species of frog will we choose?
Before thinking of a frog as a pet, it is important to emphasize that never endangered speciesshould be chosen, and unless it is If it is not handled by experts, one should not opt for a poisonous frog as a member of the family.
Finally, it is common sense that in the event of not being able to continue caring for a pet, whatever it is, it should be taken to a specialized shelter. This is especially relevant if we talk about species that could be invasive in some habitats and cause environmental problems. Once we have these concepts clear, we will have a multitude of species to adopt.
- Tree frogs. Perhaps the easiest to care for and with precious specimens.
- Aquatic frogs. They do not require substrate since they are always submerged, but these terrariums are more difficult to clean.
- Arrow frogs. There are very spectacular and very toxic specimens. Pets for experts only.
- Escuerzos. They are very peculiar amphibians.
- Toads. They are not recommended for neophytes because their skin exudes toxic substances.
The feeding of the frogs will be subject to the species. The vast majority consume live insects (crickets), but there are others that consume pienso of turtle, or specific foods already prepared. The veterinarian should inform you better about each explicit feeding for your frog, foreshortening or toad.
Tree Frogs
Green Tree Frog
The Green Tree Frog, Litoria cerulea, also called the stubby frog, is a very popular pet due to its gentle character, size, and because given its voracious appetite it recognizes the humans who feed it and interacts with them to ask them to provide it with more food. The vast majority of frogs do not interact and hide scared when we approach.
She is precisely called chubby because of her tendency to obesity because she does not have to exercise to be able to eat. Its usual measurement is 10 cm. It has a beautiful green color and a very nice appearance, but depending on the ambient temperature it can be brown.
This pet can reach up to 16 years in captivity, and even domestic specimens of up to 20 years of existence have been recorded. Their life is not that long in the wild. This species comes from Australia. Also discover on our site what the green tree frog terrarium should be like.
Red-Eyed Green Frog
The red-eyed green frog, Agalychnis callidryas, is another treefrogvery showy and popular. Its distribution area is from Mexico to Colombia. Females are larger than males, being able to measure about 7 cm in the case of females. It eats insects.
Its skin is slightly toxic Terrariums for tree frogs must have a moist substrate of coconut fiber, some flat stones, plants natural or artificial and a sloping trunk so that frogs can climb up the slope. If there are several copies, a space equivalent to 5 extra liters per copy must be calculated.
Water frogs
Bull frog
The bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus, is a large frog that has spread throughout the world. It is currently considered an invasive species. Coming from North America, it has spread throughout Eurasia and other areas of America.
Despite this it has become a common aquatic frog in terrariums because they are very easy to care for It happens, however, that grow a lot, the aquarium is too small for them and many people get rid of them. Some grow up to 46 cm and weigh 1 kg.
At the bottom of the terrarium you should put aquarium sand, 15-20 cm of non-chlorinated water and a protruding stone for when the frog decides to get out of the water.
Escuerzos
Cranwell's Escuerzo
The Cranwell's hornbill, Ceratophrys cranwelli, is an amphibian native to Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. They are common as domestic pets. They are usually called "Pacman frogs" since with their huge mouth they catch everything that moves around them, as in the popular video game.
They can measure up to 13 cm and weigh 500 gr. They feed on insects, small mice, small fish, other frogs, etc. Since they gobble up anything that passes by, many pets of this type come to an early end from swallowing excessively bulky things.
Toads
Toads are distinguished from frogs by their rough skin which often exudes toxins to repel predators. They come in various sizes and are distributed throughout the planet except both poles.
Fire Belly Toad
The fire-bellied toad, Bombina orientalis, is native to Siberia, China and Korea. Its size ranges between 4 and 5 cm. It is a common pet due to its beautiful color.
Arrow Frogs
Arrow frogs are very showy frogs that have in common that they are poisonous. They usually live in the tropics and are small in size. There are many species.
Blue Arrow Frog
The blue arrow frog, Dendrobates azureus, is native to Suriname. The indigenous people use the segregation of their skin to poison their arrows and darts.
This type of frog should only be handled by experienced and adult people. Novice hobbyists should refrain from adopting these poisonous species.
Basic care of frogs and toads
The terrarium hygiene must be scrupulous, since the ambient humidity, temperature, and the permanently moist skin of frogs and toads, favors the appearance of pathogens.
Must be used water without chlorine for everything related to the ambient humidity of the terrarium.
You must disinfect the terrarium with bleach once a month, after which it will be rinsed well with water without chlorine. You can also clean the terrarium and all its toys and elements (feeder, waterer and toys for frogs and toads) in the dishwasher, if possible.
