Pet Frogs

But there are several things you should know before you run out to the nearest pond or pet store.
 
Frogs are not like goldfish.  Getting a frog is much the same, in terms of the commitment as getting a cat or dog.  Also like cats and dogs, frogs can live for a very very long time! Some of the statistics for the ages of frogs in captivity an be quite surprising.  Many species of frogs and toads in captivity live for somewhere between 4 and 15 years.  There is even a reported case of a European Common Toad who lived for 40 years.

So the first thing to consider when deciding whether or not to get a pet frog is the commitment of your future.  Do you want a pet that you will need to take care of for the next decade.  It’s especially important to consider this when buying a frog for a child, who in a few years may out grow his or her fasination with amphibians or may be heading off to college.

This is probably not so important if your frog comes from a local stream or pond, where it can be returned after a few weeks — but is vitally important if you buy an exotic from from a foriegn land.  For this reason you may need a special license to keep certain frogs in some countries.  In Australia it is actually very difficult to obtain an amphibian license, and people who keep frogs without such a license can get fined heavily for it.  Be sure to check the laws of your area pertaining to keeping frogs before you buy one as a pet!

Next post we look at the day-to-day time commitment of owning a frog. 

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Pet Frogs for Beginners

Written by Alesandra Gibson.

If you are considering adopting a pet frog as a companion then you will need to do some research so you can acquire the knowledge that is required to make sure you and your new frog friend have wonderful lives together. It is important to remember that you are completely responsible for your frogs environment. That includes all aspects of it’s life and if it is visiting you from another continent, such as African Dwarf frogs or White’s Tree frogs, then you will have to duplicate the environment that they hail from in your frog-friend’s enclosure.

Frogs make wonderful pets, have great, friendly personalities and always have a big frog smile on their face no matter what. It is highly recommended that you take a good look at plenty of frog pictures, so you can decide more definitely just what breed of frog suits you best. Many people prefer African Dwarf frogs and White’s Tree frogs for their exquisite markings and their convenient size. However, if you live in a temperate climate and have the proper outdoor facilities, bull frogs are loads of fun. But be aware that they do need a nice pond and plenty of room to move around.

You should start by reading a good manual on Pet Frogs such as the Frogs, Toads, and Tree Frogs (Complete Pet Owner’s Manual). This is an excellent way to get started whether you have purchase your pet frog already or are just starting out with the idea. It has all the information you need from identifying tadpoles, to selecting the right frog for you, to how to care and what to fee your new pet.

Be careful — some frogs are illegal to import and own, so you will want to make sure that you aren’t breaking any laws when you are selecting your frogs.

When considering getting a new pet frog you want to “look before you leap” and “test the water” before you “jump in head first”. (sorry — couldn’t resist.)

Written by Alesandra Gibson.

Technorati Tags: Frogs, pet frogs, Toads, Tree Frogs