Hi all!

[ayamcgee]

I found this little guy (or girl?) hopping around the buggy lobby of a local grocery in Dacula, GA just outside of Atlanta, GA. Am I correct in identifying it as a juvenile American Bullfrog? Can you help me identify it as a bullfrog or pig frog? Is it male or female? It was severely dried out when I found it. He is currently in distilled water and has land to get out on as well. I don't plan to keep it, only to observe nit with my niece for a few days then release it to a water source.

[Bombina Bob]

Welcome to the forum you're right that it's a bullfrog (L.catesbieana) males will have an eardrum that is larger than their eyeball and will grow to 5 inches in body length. Females have the smaller eardrum and grow up to 8 inches in body length. If its only a few inches big, it may be hard to find the gender though.

[UncleChester]

Check out the descriptions on the University of Georgia webpage: GAWW: Species (Short List)

They describe the differences in the webbing of the hind feet of the Bull Frog and Pig Frog, which I gather are otherwise pretty tough to tell apart (there's no Pig Frogs where I am). Their state range maps also put Pig Frogs only in the south of GA, so that would make it less likely.

How large is the frog?

Distilled water isn't a good main water source for frogs, it will suck minerals out of them. You can use treated tap-water (any pet store should have Repti-Safe or a similar conditioner), spring water, or rain water if you happen to have a rain barrel.

[Mentat]

Hello and welcome to FF ! Please note the info Brian wrote about the water; it's very important. Also, check your state laws about catch and release timetables. In some states you can't release a frog after a certain period of captivity.

[ayamcgee]

He or she is already released at a pond. Thanks for all the help. I'm interested in owning a pet frog. I like the part land part water dwellers. What would y'all suggest as the best option. I have some experience keeping aquatic turtles.

[Frogman1031]

If your looking for something more reminiscent of your ponds and lakes, leopard frogs are a good choice. They are easy to care for and two would be happy in a 20 gallon. If you want something smaller, fire bellied toads are super easy to care for and three can fit in a ten gallon tank comfortably. Stay away from bullfrogs as they need a 100 gallon plus enclosure for just one. Other options for tanks 30 gallons or under include northern green frogs, pickerel frogs, common frogs. Just a few examples.