There are many animals out there that make good pets. Cute cats, dogs with endless love, hamsters with attitude and then you’ve got… frogs? The truth is, frogs can actually make good pets, but their care should not be underestimated. Sure, they don’t need to be groomed and they certainly don’t need to be taken for a walk (even though it would make an interesting trip for everyone involved!), but they do need specialised care that is suited to their species. So, let’s HOP right in and explore the wonderful world of frogs.
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Wild frogs may be the easiest option
If you want the presence of these hoppy little friends around, then perhaps the easiest way would be to create the right environment in your garden and wait for them to find you. By no stretch of the imagination am I saying that wild frogs become your pets. Wild frogs should be kept wild and never taken into captivity, but wild frogs definitely make a garden more interesting. Plus, if you’re an avid gardener, they act as brilliant pest control.
The easiest way to attract frogs to your garden is to build a pond. It doesn’t need to be an extravagant lake, a 60cm deep bucket lowered into the ground will do. Fill it with fresh water and provide cover around the edges with vegetation. Place some rocks on one side of the pond to create a shallow end for the frogs to safely enter and exit the pond. Introducing some aquatic plants into the pond also offers shelter for the frogs. Once you’ve created this area, just sit and wait for the frogs to arrive.
Avoid handling wild frogs or disturbing them too much. In the UK, their numbers are actually in decline due to the loss of their natural habitat, so with you providing a place for them to live and breed, you’re doing an amazing thing for the biodiversity of the UK.
Fancy frogs, the more exotic species
Let’s take a look at the more exotic species of frogs. There are generally 3 different types of frogs.
Arboreal
Arboreal is a fancy word used for animals which live in the trees, and there are many different species of frogs that are arboreal. A common arboreal pet frog which is well known is the Red Eyed Tree frog. It is bright green in appearance with striking red eyes and orange toe pads. Red eyed tree frogs originate from Mexico and throughout central and south America.
Aquatic
Aquatic frogs live in water and will stay submersed for hours, coming up for air every so often. A common aquatic pet frog is the African Dwarf frog, originating from the rivers and streams of central Africa. As their name suggests, the Dwarf frog is rather small in size and is often brown or grey with black spots.
Terrestrial
Terrestrial frogs live predominately on land. There are many different species of terrestrial frogs, however, one of the most common pet terrestrial frogs is the Poison Dart frog. It is interesting to point out that captive bred Poison Dart frogs are not particularly poisonous, it is their wild counterparts which are. This is because wild Poison Dart frogs consume ants, beetles and other small insects that have toxins within their bodies. The frogs then use these dietary toxins to secrete their own poison… how charming. Poison Dart frogs originate from Central and South America.
Housing should not be underestimated
Depending on which type of frog you are wanting as a pet will determine what the enclosure will need to be like. Whichever type of frog you decide on, the housing will be no easy task and it certainly won’t be cheap. If you are going to offer an exotic frog a home, the enclosure needs to be done properly and reflect its natural habitat.
I am a huge advocate of ‘bioactive’ enclosures, which essentially replicates a mini ecosystem. It consists of live plants and mosses, wood bark, natural rainfall simulation and an array of tiny insects which break down mould from the environment and waste from the frogs. Generally, all enclosures should aim to keep in humidity, and glass is usually the best option.
Treehouses – for Arboreal Frogs
With arboreal frogs living in tree’s, their enclosure needs to have substantial height rather than width. This allows the frogs to climb and simulate living in the canopy. Ensure you have adequate space, as a general rule is that the height of the enclosure needs to be as big as you can go. Plenty of plants for climbing should be offered as well as hiding spots.
Ponds – for Aquatic Frogs
Essentially, aquatic frogs will need to live in a fish tank style enclosure. You should take into account that this needs to be a fully functioning aquatic tank, complete with heated water, the correct water pH and an adequate filtering system. Aquatic plants should be provided as well as plenty of hides and shelters.
Plenty of space – for Terrestrial Frogs
Terrestrial frogs will need less height and more width to their enclosure. This is because they spend the majority of their time on the ground. Plenty of green vegetation should be planted throughout the enclosure, offering opportunities to hide and explore. It is important to point out that the majority of terrestrial frogs are actually weak swimmers, so deep standing water should be avoided.
If you don’t like insects, then frogs aren’t for you
A frog’s natural diet consists of insects. So, if you’ve opted for wild frogs to make your garden their home then sit back, relax and enjoy the lack of bugs. If you’ve decided on pet frogs, then I’m afraid you’re about to share your home with crickets, moths, flies, flies and more flies!
Arboreal and terrestrial frogs love to eat insects and these consist of small crickets, grasshoppers and the lovely fruit flies. Trust me when I say, fruit flies get everywhere. Not only do they live in your frogs’ enclosure, but they will also appear in the majority of your home. The insects need to be coated in a powdered multivitamin to ensure they are getting the correct nutrition.
Aquatic frogs can live off specialised pellets, but as part of a varied diet, bloodworms and brine shrimp should also be offered. Delicious!
It isn’t cheap feeding frogs as they will eat to their hearts’ content. Consider whether your monthly outgoings can stretch to a monthly subscription of purchasing tasty insects.
You can’t cuddle a frog
Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure someone out there has cuddled a frog. But, generally speaking, it’s a big no to handle frogs. Your hands are home to a number of bacteria that can be harmful to frogs, and the frogs will absorb these bacteria through their skin. Some of those bacteria can be fatal to the frogs, so it’s best to just avoid handling them and enjoy observing them from afar.
So, are frogs right for you?
You need to take everything into account. There are a lot of factors that need to be perfected before introducing frogs into their enclosures. Housing an exotic animal should always be a privilege for the owner and not a necessity. Therefore, if you can commit your time, money and patience into housing these beauties then it’s a win win. Exotic species offer such an interesting and unique spectacle to a home and if their husbandry is done right, it can be extremely rewarding.
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