Frogs can make great pets for the right person, but frogs in the wild are facing population declines and extinction largely as a result of human activities. Unfortunately, the pet trade is likely contributing to the amphibian extinction crisis and the spread of a devastating infection by Chytrid fungus.For this reason, you should only buy frogs that you are sure are captive-bred locally and tested to be free of disease whenever possible. Avoid capturing wild frogs and keeping them as pets.Frogs in captivity are quite long-lived (with proper care) so be prepared for a long-term commitment. Average life spans are typically four to fifteen years, although some frogs have been known to live longer. Some of the smallest frogs you might see in a pet store grow into giants. Their names often add to the confused expectations. For example, “pixie” frogs, which sound like they should be small, are actually African bullfrogs, which grow to be eight to nine inches long and very fat.
Although pet frogs might seem to be boring, some of the smaller frogs are actually quite active. However, many of the larger frogs are sedentary and don’t move around much. Frogs are not a pet that should be handled regularly due to their special, sensitive skin. If you travel often and tend to leave town for more than a couple of days at a time, keep in mind that it may be difficult to find someone to care for your frogs
Setting up a tank with everything your frog needs before bringing them home should be done to ensure a proper environment with appropriate water, humidity, and heat requirements. Some frogs hibernate and you will have to provide certain conditions to ensure your frog does so safely.Make sure you know the right kind of tank your frog will need (i.e. aquatic, terrestrial, arboreal, or semi-aquatic). A half land and half water environment is probably the trickiest to set up but is also one of the most common types of tank needed for frogs. Keeping a frog enclosure clean can be a lot of work. Many frogs have fairly simple light, temperature, and humidity requirements but they are very sensitive to contaminants and waste in their environment.
Glass aquariums are possibly the best enclosures as they are easy to clean, last a lifetime and offer clear viewing. Plastic enclosures can be less expensive but can corrode over time from UV light. For up to three frogs, a 90cm aquarium would be suitable.Line the base with washed gravel and include rocks, pieces of wood and palm peat. Aquarium plants and understorey plants from the tropical rainforests will provide visual interest and also areas for frogs to hide under and sit on. Some bromeliads, small ficus and palms will do well in an indoor enclosure but care must be taken with the soil as it may become waterlogged and then be a breeding ground for bacteria. Keep plants in small pots that sit on pebbles inside a larger container or tray to allow excess water to drain from the soil and be captured and emptied before it becomes stagnant. Of course, plastic plants will give the same effect and are much easier to maintain.
WHAT KIND OF FROG SHOULD I GET?
It all depends upon your living situation, expectations and the time you can dedicate to your froggy friend. However, there are some appropriate options for pets and it’s important to know the difference between a toad and a frog as you start your research. Frogs and toads are both Anurian amphibians, with toads often identified by dry, warty skin and short legs and frogs identified by their smooth skin. Their habitats also differ from each other: most frogs prefer to be around water while toads like dry land. Frogs are insectivorous and will eat a variety of flies, moths, crickets and cockroaches to give them the vitamins and minerals that they need. Catching insects around the house can be a problem if there is a risk that they have been in contact with household or garden chemicals. Most frogs are active at night so let the insects loose just before going to bed and watch them eagerly catch their dinner. They can also be fed live insects on a tweezer.
