frogs

~ BackwaterReptiles

What are the best pet aquatic frogs?

We’ve already discussed the best pet terrestrial frogs and the best pet arboreal frogs. In this article, we’ll dive into the topic of the best pet aquatic frogs. In our opinion, three amphibians make the best aquatic pet frogs – Budgett’s frogs, Surinam toads and Fire-bellied toads.

Budgett’s Frogs as pets

Budgett’s frogs are also commonly known as Freddy Krueger frogs, but their scientific name is Lepidobatrachus laevis. No matter what name this species goes by, we’re sure you’ll never forget about them once you’ve had the chance to learn more.

We’ll wager that the first thing you notice about the Budgett’s frog is its comical appearance. Due to their aquatic lifestyle, these frogs are semi blob-like. They have rounded and jiggly bodies with small legs, bulbous eyes on top of their heads, and extra long fingers that helped them achieve their alternate name of Freddy Kruger frog.

This species of frog is highly known for its piercing shrieks and grunts and its intimidating attitude. When it feels threatened, the Budgett’s frog will open its mouth very wide and show off its two sharp teeth. They also inflate sort of like a balloon in order to make themselves appear larger and more threatening to potential predators.

Budgett’s frogs can grow to be quite large, however interestingly enough, their enclosure doesn’t need to be big in order for them to thrive. We do highly advise keeping them separately from one another though as they are prone to cannibalism.

Although they are big eaters, Budgett’s don’t require much in terms of aquariums/enclosures to keep them happy. They should have warm water in the 77 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit range, little or no substate, lightweight or minimal cage decor and a platform that allows them to completely leave the water if they so choose.

Despite the fact that they don’t require much in terms of maintenance and care, we do advise that you have some prior experience with amphibians, preferably those with primarily aquatic lifestyles before owning a Budgett’s frog. They do require a clean tank and water and lots of food, they live 15 to 20 years, plus they grow quickly, so we recommend doing your research and making an informed decision about whether or not you can properly care for a Budgett’s frog.

If you have decided you are ready to own a Freddy Krueger frog of your own, Backwater Reptiles sells them. Rest assured that you will be receiving a healthy frog with proven Frog Ranch genetics.

budgets frogs as pets
This photo shows the stumpy, blob-like appearance of the Budgett’s frog. They are almost so ugly that they become cute. Wouldn’t you agree?

Surinam Toads as pets

It’s splitting hairs whether or not you consider the Surinam Toad (Pipa pipa) a frog, but either way, it is most certainly an amphibian. And this amphibian also makes for an incredibly cool aquatic pet.

The first thing you are likely to notice about the Surinam toad is its bizarre appearance. These toads are flat with triangular heads, itty bitty eyes and long fingers. They have been described as resembling frog roadkill. Their flattened appearance is perfect for their aquatic environment where they spend most of their time attempting to mimic dead leaves on the bottom of bodies of water. In other words, they most certainly do not resemble traditional toads or frogs upon first glance.

The reproductive habits of these toads is what makes them truly unique and amazing. After an intricate mating ritual, female toads develop a thick skin on their backs where fertilized eggs attach and embed themselves. Once the baby toads are ready to hatch, froglets emerge straight from the skin of the mother’s back leaving behind large holes.

In reality, Surinam toads are not very active pets. In addition to being fully aquatic, they honestly don’t do much other than sit around. They are a lot more active during mating rituals, but during most of the year they simply float or sit in the water and swim to the top for air every 15 to 30 minutes. The exception is when they are eating. They are ambush predators and when prey is near their mouth, the explode and essentially inhale their prey item. It’s quite fun to watch.

If you are prepared to house a fully aquatic toad and you might even be interested in a pair to try and breed, Backwater Reptiles has Surinam Toads for sale. You can also learn more about how to care for this bizarre-looking toad by reading our blog article dedicated to them.

surinam toad appearance
Surinam toads are flat and pointy with eyes the size of pinheads. They are truly a sight to behold.

Fire Bellied Toads as pets

Interestingly enough, because they are such commonly kept beginner frogs, fire bellied toads (Bombina orientalis) are often looked down upon within the herp enthusiast community. But we think they actually have quite a bit to offer, whether you’re new to keeping amphibians or not.

The first thing we think is awesome about fire bellied toads is that they are diurnal, or active during the day. This might not seem like a big deal, but most amphibians are actually secretive and prefer to come out when it’s dark. Being diurnal can be cool because it actually allows you to observe your pet’s behavior and get to know its personality and quirks.

Fire bellied toads are also very forgiving when it comes to habitat. They are easy to maintain and can acclimate, even if their owner unintentionally makes mistakes. This makes them excellent options for beginners or children learning to care for their first non-furry pet.

This hardy amphibian gets its common name from its bright orange/red tummy which indicates to potential predators that it is harmful to eat. It secretes a toxin from its skin that makes it unappetizing to anything that would try to eat it. But not to worry – unless you are eating your pet, the secretions from its skin are not harmful to humans.

Another reason fire bellied toads are so popular is that they are actually very easy to come by. Many pet stores carry them and they are relatively inexpensive. Again, they make excellent beginner pets.

If you are interested in owning a fire bellied toad of your own, but you want to learn more about how to care for one, feel free to check out our blog article dedicated to this very topic.

fore bellied toad underside
This photo shows off the lovely black and orange/red mottled underside of the fire bellied toad. This coloration is actually how this species got its common name.

Conclusion

Whether you prefer to call them frogs or toads, in our opinion, Budgett’s frogs, Surinam toads and Fire-bellied toads make the best aquatic pet frogs.

Each species we discussed in this article is unique and quirky. Maybe you’re drawn to Budgett’s frogs because of their nearly amorphous shape. Or maybe you like the colorful tummies of fire-bellied toads. No matter which species on this list is your favorite, we’re comfortable saying that each of these three amphibians makes a great pet for families or individuals in the market for an aquatic frog.

What Is the Best Terrestrial Pet Frog?

~ BackwaterReptiles

If you’re wondering what species make the best terrestrial pet frogs, you’ve come to the right place.

Frogs can live primarily in trees, in the water or on land. Because each variety has different care requirements, we’ll focus specifically on what we think is the best pet frog that lives on land. In our opinion, that species is the Pacman Frog (Ceratophrys cranwelli).

the best pet terrestrial frog
Pacman Frogs are burrowers.

Why are Pacman Frogs the best terrestrial pet frog?

One of the primary things many people look for in a pet is cuteness. Often times, we don’t realize it, but we select our pets as a reflection of ourself. There is so much variety when it comes to Pacman Frogs, there’s bound to be a color, pattern, morph or shape for everyone. Pacmans can be labeled and described as everything from classic albino to strawberry or green apple. There’s an endless selection!

Another trait that we think makes Pacmans the best pet terrestrial frog is their size and propensity to grow. While it’s likely that you’ll purchase your Pacman as a baby, it won’t stay a baby for long. Because they have such tremendous appetites, these frogs grow fast. It’s such a fun experience for owners to watch their frog thrive and grow into a beast.

Because Pacman Frogs grow so fast and get so large, they tend to be very sturdy and hardy frogs. They aren’t as sensitive to changes in their environment or being handled and therefore they possess the ability to be a bit more interactive than their jumpy sensitive tree frog brethren.

Although we’ve already established that they love to eat, it truly is quite entertaining for owners to watch their Pacman Frog at mealtime. These frogs are known for being ambush predators and they’re not always the most graceful animals. This means that mealtime can be exciting, but it can be comical as well.

adult albino pacman frog
Pacman Frogs can grow quite large and they have appetites to prove it!

How do I care for a Pacman Frog?

As we’ve already established, Pacman Frogs are terrestrial, or land-based. This means that they won’t need an aquatic set up, which we think makes them much easier to care for. Aquatic tanks and animals are very rewarding to have, but they are a much bigger commitment.

You can keep a Pacman Frog happy for the duration of its life in a simple ten gallon tank, although if you want a larger enclosure, there’s nothing wrong with that. Line your terrarium with four to five inches of moist peat moss for substrate.

Make sure to provide a water dish that is sunk down into the moss. The frogs sometimes enjoy soaking in it, so make sure it’s accessible and easy to climb out of.

Feeding time is fun time! Baby and juvenile frogs will need to eat more frequently than adults. We recommend feeding them gut loaded insects every other day and a pinkie once per week. As they grow larger, they can eat larger insects such as roaches and larger frozen mice. Tongs are recommended when they are  bigger because their teeth can hurt! Keep in mind that Pacman Frogs will pretty much eat anything that moves, so variety is important when planning a Pacman Frog diet. We also advise keeping an eye on your frog’s weight as they are not super active animals and can grow obese easily in captivity from over feeding.

What we’ve detailed so far regarding Pacman Frog care is just the basics. We think we’ve written up the ultimate care sheet on Pacman Frogs. We’ve got lots of experience with these amphibians and we took a lot of time compiling what we’ve learned into a comprehensive guide. Check it out here.

Where can I get a Pacman Frog?

If you want your frog delivered overnight to your doorstep, then we highly recommend purchasing your baby Pacman Frog from us, Backwater Reptiles! Our Pacman Frogs have Frog Ranch genetics, making them the most sought after in the biz! Not only are they healthy, they are bold, bright and colorful as well and we have many morphs to choose from.

Another option if you are in the market for a pet Pacman Frog is to head to your local reptile expo. The benefit of purchasing at an expo is that you can hand select the frog of your choice, but because expos tend to only happen once per year, the downside is you might have to wait a bit to get your frog.

Because Pacman Frogs have  become one of the most popular pet frogs in the herpetology world, you can likely find yourself a Pacman Frog at your nearest pet store. However, we do advise purchasing with caution as we can’t speak to the quality of care the frog would be receiving inside a pet store.

Baby Pacman Frogs should be fed a varied diet of insects.

Conclusion

There are many species of frogs that make excellent pets. But for now, we’re sticking strictly to the terrestrial type. And we feel that Pacman Frogs have earned their way to the top.

Pacman Frogs are not only adorable, they are fairly easy to care for. They  are loads of fun at mealtime and they grow very fast. Although frogs aren’t the most interactive pet, Pacmans can grow accustomed to being handled. They also come in a huge variety of colors, morphs and patterns that make them sought after in the reptile hobbyist world.

So, the bottom line is if you’re in the market for a pet frog with a terrestrial enclosure set up, we’d highly recommend you get a Pacman Frog.

Oddest Pet Frogs

~ BackwaterReptiles

At Backwater Reptiles, we love reptiles and amphibians of all shapes and sizes, regardless of whether or not most people would label them as cute. In fact, some of our favorites are the oddballs!

In this article, we’re going to list our favorite odd-looking pet frogs. Although these frogs are not for everyone, each of them is certainly unique.

The Oddest Pet Frogs

Budgett’s Frog (Lepidobatrachus laevis)

This jelly-like frog is also known as the hippo frog and the Freddy Krueger frog. We’re not quite sure where the hippo moniker arises from, but this frog is nicknamed after the infamous horror villain because its long fingers are reminiscent of his knife hands. This frog also packs quite an attitude and is known to be aggressive and mean. It opens its wide mouth as big as possible and emits what is best described as a scream in an effort to scare off threats.

oddest pet frogs
As you can see from this photo, Budgett’s frogs very closely resemble blobs of jelly, making it one of the more odd pet frogs.

In addition to this interesting defense mechanism, Budgett’s frogs are memorable because they are just so strange-looking. Besides having bodies built like blobs, they have tiny protuberant eyes on top of their heads. And because they rarely leave the water, they can appear somewhat soggy to boot.

But we want to stress that even though Budgett’s frogs are unusual, both in appearance and in behavior, they still make rewarding and fascinating pets.

If you are interested in caring for a Budgett’s frog of your own, Backwater Reptiles does sell them. And we even wrote an entire blog article dedicated to their care.

Mozambique Rain Frog (Breviceps mossambicus)

We’re huge fans of the Mozambique rain frog because it is such a comical amphibian. Not only is this an adorably silly-looking frog, it also has some charming behaviors that many people find extremely endearing, albeit weird.

Rain frogs are known as “grumpy frogs” and have several variations of memes circulating around the internet to comment on their squashed, flat, surly little faces. Besides their squashed faces, rain frogs possess somewhat balloon-ish bodies with pigeon-toed feet. They’re almost reminiscent of froggy bulldogs.

mozambique rain frog
Mozambique rain frogs have balloon-like bodies and pigeon-toed feet. We think this makes them look like little bulldog frogs.

Oh, and did we mention that rain frogs squeak rather than croak like a typical frog? Some people say that the rain frog’s call sounds like a kitten’s cry or a tiny squeal. No matter what you think it sounds like, most people agree that the noise is simply adorable.

Because rain frogs are relatively new to the reptile and amphibian pet world, we actually wrote an entire article dedicated to their care.

And if you’re wondering where you can get a pet Mozambique rain frog of your own, Backwater Reptiles can definitely help you out.

Surinam Giant Toad (Pipa pipa)

Everything about the Suriname toad is odd. This toad (which is actually a frog) looks weird, it behaves weird, and it even reproduces weird! We think that they make awesome pets simply because you’ll have so many curious factoids about them to tell to your friends and family.

The first thing you’ll notice when you see a Suriname toad is that it is a flat frog. And we do mean that quite literally. It has a triangular, flat head and its body is also very pancake-like.This is an adaptation to allow the frog to appear like leaf litter or wooden detritus on the bottom of the bodies of water where it resides. It also helps the frog to be stream-lined.

Even if you never get your pet Surinam toad to reproduce, you should be aware that these frogs produce their babies in a very unconventional manner.  After an elaborate mating ritual, the eggs stick to the female’s back and sink into a honeycomb shaped “nest” in her skin. The eggs will stay there on her back in the protective honeycomb until fully formed froglets emerge! Suriname toads don’t go through a tadpole phase.

If you want a pet Suriname toad to call your own, be sure to check out our blog article detailing how to care for them.

pipa pipa
Suriname toads are flat like pancakes. Nobody can deny that these are some strange-looking frogs!

Conclusion

We hope that this article shows you that just because a frog is kind of bizarre-looking, that doesn’t make it a bad pet. In our opinion, being odd just makes these frogs that much more lovable. We hope that you agree, and that you’ve enjoyed perusing our list of the oddest pet frogs in the world!

Most Colorful Pet Frogs

~ BackwaterReptiles

Frogs of all shapes and sizes make fun and unique pets. But since many people can find some type of frog in their local neighborhood, the most popular frogs are the ones that are not as common and that attract attention. In our experience, this means the colorful frogs are the biggest hits with hobbyists.

In this article, we will discuss our most popular, most colorful pet frogs sold at Backwater Reptiles.

Painted Mantella (Mantella madagascariensis)

The painted mantella is a small frog that packs a colorful punch. Their dark black bodies are decorated with orange blocks on their hind legs and bright green on their front legs and face. The overall effect is quite beautiful. No wonder these little frogs are called “painted.”

most colorful pet frogs
Painted mantellas are a memorable species of pet frog known for both their tiny size and bold color combinations.

Like most frogs that are kept as pets, painted mantellas are “look not touch” animals. Due to their delicate size, mantellas will see human hands as predators and are therefore skittish. You are likely to drop the frog or accidentally injure it if you attempt to interact with your mantella often. We recommend handling them only to clean their cage or on special occasions.

Strawberry Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates pumilio)

Dart frogs come in a variety of colors. The strawberry dart frog has a strawberry red body (hence its common name) with dark blue/black limbs. Its torso is often speckled with dark spots as well.

strawberry dart frog
As this photo demonstrates, strawberry dart frogs are not usually larger than a quarter!

Although they are dubbed poisonous, dart frogs in captivity actually lose their toxicity. Because they are eating a different diet, they are unable to synthesize the toxins that they secrete through their skin in the wild, making them harmless to people.

It might seem that a frog species this small would be tough to feed, but we find that ours will accept a diet of fruit flies and pinhead crickets quite readily.

Clown Tree Frog (Hyla leucophyllata)

The common phase of clown tree frogs found in the pet herp industry is a dark red/orange/dusky brown color with white/cream colored accent blotches. The body of this morph tends to be the darker tone while the extremities are more of a cherry red tone.

pet clown tree frog
Clown tree frogs are moderately-sized tree frogs with hardy dispositions.

Of all the species on this list, we feel that the clown tree frog is probably the most interactive pet frog. It is a hardy and common frog in its native habitat and this translates well to captive bred animals. Like nearly all frog species, we wouldn’t go so far as to say that clown tree frogs enjoy being held, per se, but they tolerate it well. This species is not so delicate that you will risk harming the animal if you pick it up. They are also probably the least skittish of all the species on this list, although they are still fast and can jump far when they want to, so take special care when you do handle your clown tree frog.

Tiger Leg Tree Frog (Phyllomedusa hypochondrialis)

Tiger leg tree frogs hail from the Amazonian rain forest and make spectacular tropical pets that will surely impress your friends and family.

These beautiful frogs have green bodies with orange sides flecked with black speckles. They also have cream-colored bellies and eyes with cat-like vertical pupils. They are quite remarkable in appearance.

Tiger leg tree frogs will grow to a moderate size. It’s common for them to be anywhere from one and half to two and half inches long. Females are also usually larger than males.

handling a tiger leg tree frog
Tiger leg tree frogs are sleepy during the day, which makes them easier than most frogs to handle. However, they do have fairly delicate dispositions, so we don’t recommend holding them too often.

If you are a night owl, a tiger leg tree frog might just be the perfect pet frog for you. They are distinctly nocturnal by habit, so they will be active at night. During the day, it’s likely your tiger leg tree frog will attach itself to a leaf and happily snooze the day away.

If you are interested in a pet tiger leg tree frog and want to learn more about their care requirements in captivity, feel free to check out the blog article we wrote detailing how to take care of them.

Conclusion

While all herp species make good pets for different types of people, we’re willing to bet that the colorful frogs on our list will be popular hits with nearly anyone.

If you are interested in creating a habitat for a colorful pet frog of your own, Backwater Reptiles sells painted mantellas, strawberry dart frogs, clown tree frogs, and tiger leg tree frogs. We’ll help get you started with any of these species.

Best Small Pet Frogs

~ BackwaterReptiles

Have you always wanted a pet frog but feel you don’t have the room to keep a semi-aquatic animal? Well, we’ve got good news for you because not all the best pet frogs need a ton of space or large tanks full of water to thrive.

In fact, we’ve got some recommendations for frog species that don’t require enclosures larger than a shoe box. Read on to find out our top picks for the best small pet frogs and how you can get your hands on one.

The Best Small Pet Frogs: A Review

Painted Mantella (Mantella madagascariensis)

Painted mantellas are certainly attractive pet frogs. They hail from Madagascar and are available in a variety of gorgeous color combinations. They have rich, black bodies and eyes with yellow, orange, green, and red accents. These tiny frogs are so colorful in fact, that people often confuse them for poison dart frogs.

Best pet frogs list
This painted mantella has contrasting green and orange coloration. What a beauty, and a great pet frog as well!

These little frogs can get up to one and a half inches long, but most will stay around an inch long on average. Their small size means they only need a home that is around five gallons, at least if you’re only keeping a single frog. Pairs should be kept in a ten gallon tank.

Most mantellas can be shy, so we recommend providing a substrate that retains moisture well but also allows the frog to hide. Another option is to provide several hide spaces.

Backwater Reptiles has colorful painted mantella frogs  for sale.

Strawberry Dart Frog (Dendrobates pumilio)

It’s a common misconception that poison dart frogs are dangerous and can harm you if you touch them. In the wild, this might be true, but in captivity, the frogs actually lose their potency. It is believed that the poison secreted through their skin is manufactured through insects the frogs eat in their wild habitats, so when we humans feed them captive bred insects, the frogs don’t create the poison any more. So, the bottom line is that you can actually hold and handle your dart frog, but due to their somewhat delicate nature, we don’t recommend handling them a lot.

strawberry dart frog
Dart frogs come in many color variations. Strawberry dart frogs are bright red with dark blue or black legs.

Strawberry dart frogs usually don’t get bigger than a large grape. This is usually around an inch to an inch and half long. A typical life span for a strawberry dart frog is anywhere from four to eight years in captivity.

Because these frogs are so small, we feed ours pinhead crickets and fruit flies. Sometimes they will even eat small mealworms.

If you are in the market for a healthy strawberry dart frog, we do sell them on our website.

Glass Tree Frog (Mantidactylus sp. / Hyalinobatrachium sp. / Boophis sp.)

There are many species of glass tree frogs available through breeders, but they all have one thing in common – their translucent skin and visible organs. The degree of transparency of the frog varies from species to species. Some are nearly clear on top and bottom, while other species are only faintly see-through on their tummies.

As far as size is concerned, most glass frogs will range in size from 20 to 30 millimeters.

These fascinating and unique-looking frogs are not the easiest species to come by in captivity. In the wild, they are arboreal, riparian (living in streams), and nocturnal, which means that wild-caught frogs are tough to obtain and captive breeding efforts are not that successful.

glass tree frog underside
This is the under belly of a glass tree frog. As you can see, the frog’s innards are clearly visible.

If you do decide to keep a glass frog, keep in mind that they are delicate and shy. You will need to have an arboreal set up with more vertical space than horizontal space, although for a single frog, that tank still need not be bigger than a five gallon enclosure.

Although glass tree frogs are one of the rarer frog species sold on this list, Backwater Reptiles does have them for sale.

Clown Tree Frog (Hyla leucophyllata)

Of all the frogs on this list, we’d say that the clown tree frog is probably the largest on average. Because it’s a tree frog, this species will also tend to appear longer in general because its limbs and toes are very pronounced in order to support its arboreal life style. But, even being the largest on this list, the clown tree frog still only maxes out at around four centimeters on average.

Clown tree frogs are not only small, but they are very attractive little frogs too. Most are dark brown or red in base color with lighter white, yellow, or beige markings or splotches. They really are quite striking little amphibians.

clown tree frog
Clown tree frogs are known for their night time calls which sound like laughter.

Due to its arboreal nature, your pet clown tree frog will require a home that is taller, rather than flatter. It still doesn’t require a large enclosure, but just make sure that the frog has a bit of room to climb. We recommend a ten gallon tank with a screen top lid and plenty of foliage, either real or fake.

Luckily, clown tree frogs are readily available. Not only are they fairly common frogs in the pet trade, but they are also relatively inexpensive.

Here’s a great enclosure for your frog, with everything it’ll need to thrive in your care:

(Click the picture to see the lowest prices)

Conclusion – The Best Small Pet Frogs

All of the small pet frogs on our list are somewhat delicate due to their small size. This means that they are not ideal pets for someone who wants to take their frog out of its enclosure and handle it a lot. The small frogs on this list are best for pet owners with limited space to house their amphibian who enjoy looking at and admiring their frog rather than playing with it.