Frogs, much like turtles, have become popular pets for their exotic appearances and low-maintenance needs. But when you’re ready to bring a pet frog home, how do you know which one will make the best pet? From the tiny gray tree frog to the menacing bullfrog, many amphibians make good pets. But before you bring one home, always consider how much maintenance they need. Look at the five best frogs to keep as pets to learn more.
1. The Gray Tree Frog
Known for their small size of a mere one to two inches, the gray tree frog is an immensely popular pet. Hailing from the U.S. and Canada, these tiny frogs prefer high levels of humidity that you can maintain by misting the inside of the enclosure. Gray tree frogs need a minimum 10-gallon tank for a single adult, but if you want to create a planted tank, increase the size to 20 gallons. Because the gray tree frog is arboreal, you must add branches and large leaves inside the enclosure to help them feel secure.
Despite their tiny size, these little frogs can reach nine years of age, so be sure to give them exactly what they need to thrive. These tiny amphibians prefer a diet of insects such as crickets, moths, and flies. To avoid diseases such as metabolic bone disease, give your pet a spacious enclosure with UV lighting. The UV light will maintain your frog’s health and replicate natural day and night cycles.
2. African Bullfrogs: Large, Hardy Pets
The robust African bullfrog is certainly a sight to behold and one of the reasons they’ve become popular pets. These big frogs are quite entertaining to watch, and they’re hardy, so you don’t have to fuss too much, provided their basic needs are met.
African bullfrogs are also known as pixie frogs, not because anything about them is small! Their scientific name is Pyxicephalus adspersus, and “pixie frog” is simply a nickname based on this lengthy title. To keep these big frogs healthy, they should be fed a daily diet of live insects, including crickets, mealworms, and calciworms. Some keepers add the occasional thawed pinkie mouse to their diet as African bullfrogs are carnivores.
African bullfrogs have quite a long lifespan of around 40 years, so be sure to plan for the long-term commitment that comes with ownership. Due to their 10-inch size, African bullfrogs are best housed in a 40 to 50-gallon tank with plenty of space to move around. Unfortunately, if you want a pet frog that you can frequently handle, the African bullfrog is not recommended. These impressive frogs become stressed when handled and bite.
3. American Green Tree Frogs Love to Climb
The American green tree frog is a beautiful addition to any terrarium. They’re a colorful frog identified by their deep green skin and cream band across their mouths and abdomens. Unlike the gray tree frog and African bullfrog, which can live up to 10 years, the green tree frog lives for six years. They are small frogs that are easy to maintain, growing to a length of 2.5 inches. The American green tree frog does well in a 20-gallon habitat with vertical space so they can climb on branches and stems.
To care for your frog, provide them with a diet of moths, fruit flies, ants, and worms. It is best to give them gut-loaded insects, which means that the insects are fed a nutritious diet and pass the nutrients onto the frog when consumed.
4. African Dwarf Frogs Are Social Amphibians
A little frog that loves to explore its aquatic environment is the African dwarf frog. Hailing from the Cameroonian and Nigerian rainforests, these 1.5-inch frogs prefer swimming in freshwater with short periods spent on rocks or logs. Available in colors from brown with dark spots to blonde, these amphibians are distinguished by their claws. In the wild, they use their claws to grip and tear their food, but they also help them move about the riverbed.
African dwarf frogs are interesting and low-maintenance amphibians, with many keepers entertained by their antics in the water. If your frog is comfortable and happy, you might be lucky enough to hear them sing. They make vibrating sounds that let you know they’re content. African dwarf frogs should be fed flake or pellet food. If they won’t take to pellets and flakes, then a variety of bloodworms, brine shrimp, krill, and small live fish are sure to increase their appetite. These dwarf frogs have a five-year lifespan and should be housed in a 10-gallon tank in pairs as they’re social animals.
5. Tomato Frog Have a Unique Appearance
The tomato frog is a fiery red color and makes a great choice of pet because of its hardiness and low maintenance. They are nocturnal frogs, meaning they’re more active at night. The tomato frog looks quite chubby, but only reaches four inches as an adult. Their gentle nature means they can be kept with similarly sized frogs in a community tank, provided there’s no overcrowding. We must emphasize “similarly sized frogs,” as tomato frogs are cannibals and will consume their smaller tankmates. If you are only keeping one frog, a 10-gallon tank will suffice.
To keep your bright red frog in excellent condition, their diet should consist of calciworms, earthworms, waxworms, and freeze-dried bloodworms. The tomato frog likes to burrow, so include a soft substrate in the tank. They prefer stable temperatures of around 70℉ during the day and enjoy foliage they can hide in when they need to take a break from basking!
Frogs make fun and low-maintenance pets, but always provide the right habitat to avoid stress. They might not be cuddlers and don’t enjoy handling, but they’ll provide endless beauty and entertainment in the right environments.
