Eyeless Bullfrog

[Cosmic Lys]

I was wondering if anyone has ever seen an eyeless bullfrog. I work at a locally owned pet shop and we get tadpoles in randomly with feeder fish. I decided to bring one home and after 8 months he/she became a frog and i finally realized he/she has no eyes. I feed him/her with tongs. He/she will only eat food not given by tongs if there are waxworms in a bowl and he/she gets his/her lazy butt out of the water and searches. If its not in front of his/her face (directly) then he/she wont eat. Also i don't see anywhere online that says how much to feed only how often. I have access to mealworms waxworms, large crickets and small crickets. His/her body is 1 1/2" long he/she is 1 month into frog stage.

[Charlotte Benedict]

wow. I have never seen an eyeless bullfrog. Um, well, the requirements for a bullfrog is a 100 gallon tank, half water and half land. Since your frog cannot see, you should probably make an easy slop so he can easily find his way out of the water. Feeding wise, don't offer too many mealworms as it can make them constipated, so a staple diet of crickets regularly dusted with mineral powder. Since the frog is so young, you should feed it a couple crickets everyday. I hope he makes it and he is alright! Keep me posted on his progress, I am interested to know how an eyeless frog does.

[Cosmic Lys]

He almost never leaves the water (but is easily able to) and doesn't travel more than an inch or two away. He eats crickets every day and waxworms twice a week. He will only eat if something is put directly in front of his face. There was 1 occasion where i was chasing a small cricket with tongs up to him from behind and he felt the cricket touch him and he turned around and tried to eat the tongs. next feeding time ill try to get a decent video of him feeding.

[Charlotte Benedict]

Does he jump in the water when you come near the tank? It is probably natural that he doesn't really leave the water, since their defense from predators is jumping in the water. He probably feels very vulnerable not being able to see. Will you be able to take care of him? A frog that can't see will require a lot of care, especially being a bullfrog. Im sure feeding time of a blind frog is hysterical! Do you have a 100 gallon set up ready?

[Cosmic Lys]

no he doesn't jump in the water when i come near the tank. He's usually always in the water to begin with. hes only 5 weeks old (as an actual frog). I've picked him up just a couple times and once hes in my hand he doesn't like to leave it. The original plan when i took him home was to be released at my friends large pond on their large farm when he got big enough. But being blind i'd feel horrible releasing him like that. A customer from the store i work at is supposed to be giving me his 100+ tank soon since hes getting a 500 setup. If that fails then i'll have to have him go in my 55 until i can get a hold of a 100. I've looked up quite a few pictures of bullfrogs and it seems like hes growing very slow. A 6 month old bullfrog pic i saw it was 8" long and looked like it was 5" wide, and hes 5 weeks old and only 1 1/2 inches.

[Charlotte Benedict]

Well, a 100 gallon would be nicer, but since he can't see and is handicapped a 55 gallon would be ok too. The growth rate may be that way because the eyeless thing.. I think the eyeless thing was a genetic issue, maybe several generations of inbreeding, and if it is that it will affect his growth and overall health. im so glad you didn't release him! He never would have made it. the warmth of your hand may be comforting, the poor guy. Im sure being a blind frog is very stressful. That is also probably why he is in the water so much, like I said earlier, he feels safe there.

[B1GFROG]

This is incredible. What's even more incredible is your dedication to it, Cosmic.

Makes me feel good to know people like you exist that take care of less fortunate amphibians. Amazing!!

[Deac77]

This is awesome keep us up to date on how well he goes I can't wait to hear more!