Land Frogs

Toads and tree frogs spend the majority of their time outside of water, so it is simple to classify them as “land frogs.” In general, toads have textured skin while frogs have smooth skin. There are three basic groups of land frogs:

Common Characteristics

  • Size: 0 to 2 pounds
  • Lifespan: 6 to 15 years
  • Allergies: Mild
  • Primarily suited for indoors

Similar


·        Toads

·        Tree frogs

·        Mantellas and poison dart frogs

(Hyperlink all yellow highlights to specific articles on Toads, Tree Frogs, and Mantella and Poison Dart Frogs).                                                                                               

 Common Reasons for Surrender

Rescuers told PetStarter that a university may set up a laboratory and use frogs to test their work. When the testing is completed, a rescuer may receive as many as 100 or more frogs at one time.

 Pros

We’ve all seen paintings or movies of a boy with a frog in his pocket. While this is not the best habitat for land frogs, it is a testament to the fondness that American children have had for frogs and toads for decades.

Cons

Even though some frogs are to be observed and not handled, frogs can be fascinating to watch in a vivarium that mimics their environment. Oftentimes the frog’s lifespan outlives a child’s interest. Families need to be prepared for years of care before purchasing a land frog.

Diet

·        Toads--waxworms, mealworms, and crickets

·        Tree Frogs--insects

·        Mantellas and Poison Dart Frogs--crickets

(Please click on the article for more specifics on care of species).

 Exercise

While you can’t exactly take a frog for a walk on a leash, you can provide your frog or toad with a vivarium that duplicates her humid environment so that she will want to bask, climb branches, and move about freely.

 Possible Health Issues

Most toads and frogs do not have health issues unless they are fed insects that are laden with parasites. To avoid parasites, purchase insects online or at your local pet store. Insects caught in your backyard may or may not be infested with parasites.

Housing

A ten-gallon tank is large enough for a frog. Overall, the land frogs need a humid environment, which can be provided by misting. They also need branches and a coconut substrate on the floor, which holds moisture without bringing a lot of bacteria into the tank.

 Grooming

Frogs are small, so clean up is minimal compared to larger animals. Check the recommendation for individual species in articles provided on this website.

We want to thank Reptile and Amphibian Rescue, Los Angeles, California; Lancaster Herpetological Society, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Aquatic Frog Rescue and Adoption for help with this profile.

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