If your childhood was at all similar to mine, you can remember the exciting feeling of discovering new creatures in your nearby woods and rivers. One of the most unique and evasive of these creatures is frogs.
Frogs are unique creatures with big personalities. You likely may know someone who has a frog or multiple frogs as pets. After all, they are relatively easy to take care of and are friendly creatures that can be handled moderately.
But one question that many people have is if you can keep a wild frog as a pet. This question typically stems from parents whose kids have proudly ventured home with their new best friend they caught.
Let’s take a closer look at “wild” frogs and find out whether or not they can be kept as pets.
Can A Wild Frog Be A Pet? – Wild Frogs vs Pet Frogs
The short answer to this question is no, you should not keep wild frogs as pets. There are a few reasons behind this answer, and you must first understand the difference between wild frogs and the frogs you can buy online or in your local pet store.
The first major difference between wild frogs and the types of frogs that people keep as pets is that you can know for sure which species and gender of frog you have. This matters because different frogs will require different habitat setups along with different diets, temperature requirements, humidity requirements, and more. This means that a wild frog would likely die if taken from the wild and put into captivity.
Another difference is that pet frogs can be bred in captivity to have certain color morphs or patterns that are desired by many people. This is not the case with wild frogs, which can only be found in their natural colors and patterning.
Lastly, many frogs that are sold as pets come with a guarantee that they are free of parasites and other diseases. This is not something you can say for sure about a wild frog, especially when you don’t know anything about the other frogs or creatures that lived around or with the frog that you took home.
So while it may be tempting to take home that cute little frog you found on your nature hike, it’s best to leave them in their natural habitat where they will be much happier and healthier.
What Types of Frogs Can Be Kept As Pets?
If you’re looking to find yourself a pet frog, you’re in luck! There are many different types of frogs that make perfect pets and that are affordable for beginner frog owners.
Some of the most common types of frogs kept as pets include:
- Tree frogs
- Pacman frogs
- Tomato frogs
- Amazon milk frogs
- Bullfrogs
- Dart frogs
Tree Frogs
Tree frogs are the most common type of frog that is kept as a pet. The reason being is that there are many different species of tree frogs. Some of the most popular include:
- White’s tree frog
- Red eyed tree frog
- American green tree frog
Tree frogs make great beginner frogs and can be very entertaining to watch. Their diets consist of flies, ants, crickets, beetles, and other small invertebrates.
If you’re thinking about getting your first-time frog, then we highly recommend tree frogs as pets.
Pacman Frogs
Pacman frogs are another great beginner pet, and are one of the best overall frogs you can have as pets. They come in many beautiful color morphs and can grow to be quite large at a measurement of up to 8 inches. Pacman frogs can eat insects or even small rodents. They require a minimum tank size of 10 gallons.
Tomato Frogs
Tomato frogs are a great beginner pet for those looking for something a little different. They are small frogs that only grow to be about 2-3 inches in size. Tomato frogs have a very unique appearance with their red and orange coloration.
Their diet consists of small insects, and they require a minimum tank size of 10 gallons. They are one of the most hardy species of frogs and can survive in many conditions, which makes them very adaptable for living in captivity.
Amazon Milk Frogs
Amazon milk frogs are a beautiful species of frog that is native to South America. They can grow to be about 4 inches in size and have a very striking appearance with their black and white coloration.
Their diet consists of small insects, and they require a minimum tank size of 10 gallons. Amazon milk frogs are one of the easier frogs to care for and make great beginner frogs.
Bullfrogs
Bullfrogs are the largest type of frog that is kept as a pet. They can grow to be up to 12 inches in size, which makes them one of the biggest frogs in the world. Bullfrogs are native to North America and have a very plain appearance with their green and brown coloration.
Their diet consists of small mammals, reptiles, and even birds. Due to their large size, bullfrogs require a minimum tank size of 20 gallons. They are one of the harder frogs to care for and are not recommended for beginner frog owners.
Dart Frogs
Dart frogs are a type of frog that is native to Central and South America. They come in many different colors and can be very vibrant frogs. Dart frogs are small frogs that only grow to be about 1-2 inches in size.
Their diet consists mainly of insects, and they require a minimum tank size of 10 gallons. Dart frogs also love the company of other draft frogs.
Dart frogs are one of the harder frogs to keep, as they are typically more picky about their habitat, and some can even be dangerous to handle.
Poison dart frogs may look pretty, but some can cause serious reactions or even death if touched with your bare skin. Therefore, you always need to make sure you do your research before attempting to own any dart frogs.
Conclusion – Do Not Keep Wild Frogs As Pets
As tempting as it may be, you should never try to keep wild frogs, or any other animals, as pets. Instead, consider buying a frog online from a reputable vendor that has plenty of variety to offer. These frogs are guaranteed to be free of parasites and diseases, and come with a live arrival guarantee.
If you’re looking for more information about caring for your pet frog, then feel free to check out our pet care guides.
