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.

[Ornate frog]

My first frog was a leapord frog very nice frogs and eat, like crazy !! If i was u i would go with a leapord frog or a fire l bellied toad both part land part water and you can create some really nice looking tanks !! Plus you can keep them with newts or salamanders if u like them

[Frogman1031]

To further add to Ornate Frog's suggestions,
The only possible cohabitations here would be with fire bellied toads and fire bellied newts. The species have similar yet still different toxicity levels so a lot of space must be provided to make sure the environment does not become toxic. Besides the toads and newts, i would not suggest any cohabitation at all