Pickerel frogs

[reptilia5]

I have a young Lithobates palustris I acquired in Aug.2012. I am unable to find much info regarding these frogs so I have been caring for it like a Lithobates sphenocephala. Currently it is housed in a ten gallon aquarium and I am in the process of setting up a 30 gal. semi-aquatic ranarium. The frog is thriving and eats well,though it is a skittish animal.I would love to hear from other keepers of these beautiful frogs and their experience with these frogs.

[Bombina Bob]

Lithobates palustris has very similar care to the leopard frogs, but they are best housed with their own kin because of their toxic secretions, i personally havent had experience with pickerel frogs but they do have similar care to the leopard frogs.

Good luck with your frog

[whiteheadfamily2415]

Do you have any pictures of your setup? We have tons of these guys around our pond and my son is wanting to setup an aquarium for a few. I'm thinking of taking a 55 gal and making a vivarium for him.

[Bombina Bob]

No, i dont have a setup but i have a 15 gal for bullfroglets. Ive worked with red legged frogs which have similar care to the pickerels. For a 55 gallon, i would add about 3 inches of gravel and then slope it to one side creating a "land area". then covering the land area with a layer of moss. the water section can have a log sticking out for the frog to rest on. Make sure also to use dechlorinated water!

[whiteheadfamily2415]

Thanks for the reply! Can I use wild moss and a "log" from the pond area, or do I need to seek it from elsewhere? I was also thinking of doing some GS on the back wall then covering with coco or peat. Any ideas?

[Bombina Bob]

Yes you can use wild moss in the land area. Ive had some wild mossin my FBT tank that has started to actually root into the gravel :0 You can use a log from the pond area but it would be easier to find a broken branch on the forest floor because you may have some unwanted bugs on the wood in the pond, One other thing that works well for a floating platform is Cork bark. For the GS method, im not too sure if it would hold up if it has water being splashed on it.

[Dreadfrog]

I have 4 of them . There cool frogs but they are shy . One thing about them is they spend a lot of time on land more so then green frogs or bullfrogs . Mine spend most of the time hiding in plants and a log I have in there tank .
They mostly jump in the water to hide or to rehydrate .