New to the frog game, looking for some info..

[zackw419]

Well I acquired my first pet amphibian ever. An African Bullfrog. While living in Costa Rica I was very much into amphibians namely tree frogs and did a decent amount of research on them. However I have little experience in the captive care of one.

I've read the caresheet and have gotten the basics, but have a few questions for you guys!

Can these guys get all the nutrition they need from mice and rats solely? I'm trying to be thoughtful yet realistic. I work at an exotic pet store where I have access to crickets, worms, etc. but what I don't have access to is feeder amphibians, roaches, nightcrawler (idk what that is ). I read in the caresheet they can benifit from the diversity of food items.

So, being realistic with slightly limited resources what should I be feeding and how often? I wan't to provide my frog with as much nutrition as I can while being realistic.

Also, what substrate will last the longest and how often should a full cage cleaning be done? Right now I have the girl on eco-earth but I read all natural soil will last longer. I also read alot of the all natural soil being sold has cyphress chips in it which can be lethal. Does anyone have a reccomended soil brand that can be bought at places like homedepot, gardening shops, etc. ?

Any additional info that the caresheet left out would be greatly appreciated I want to learn as much as I can about this species in captivity!

-Zack

P.S. How often should the water be changed?

[Kevin1]

Welcome to the forum Zach.

Can these guys get all the nutrition they need from mice and rats solely?

No, In fact Rodents have be suspected of causing early death in amphibians.
They're very hard on your frogs digestive system and should only be fed every 1-2 months.

I have access to crickets, worms, etc. but what I don't have access to is feeder amphibians, roaches, nightcrawler (I don't know what that is ). I read in the care sheet they can benefit from the diversity of food items.

All animals benefit from a varied diet. Nightcrawlers are a term used to describe a number of large earthworm species. The most commonly known nightcrawlers are the Canadian nightcrawlers, found at walmart and bait shops in the fridge.

So, being realistic with slightly limited resources what should I be feeding and how often? I want to provide my frog with as much nutrition as I can while being realistic.

Check out the African bullfrog care sheet on this site for info on that.

Also, what substrate will last the longest and how often should a full cage cleaning be done? Right now I have the girl on eco-earth but I read all natural soil will last longer. I also read alot of the all natural soil being sold has cyphress chips in it which can be lethal. Does anyone have a reccomended soil brand that can be bought at places like homedepot, gardening shops, etc.

I prefer a 50/50 mixture of coco-fiber and organic topsoil.

P.S. How often should the water be changed?

I would suggest the water be changed everyday, every 2 days at most.
Whether soiled or not, used or not, bacteria can build up in there if it's not changed.

[Jace]

Welcome Zach and congrats on now being "owned" by an African Bullfrog. Kevin pretty much nailed it on the head concerning your questions. Adding my own personal experience, I give both of my ABFs one rodent a month, nothing more. The rest of their diet consists mainly of large earthworms (lots of protein), the biggest size crickets I can buy gutloaded to the extreme, with a treat of superworms thrown in for mere enjoyment on their part. Also once a month I give a frozen shrimp as a protein packed snack. As for how often you should be feeding yours, a lot of that will depend on age and size. Younger animals of any species need to be fed more often and the appropriate sized food. Frogs can choke. Once they start adding more girth than overall size, cut back to two to three times a week. Remember frogs and toads can become obese on the wrong diet, and that will shorten their life. As well, don't forget to add calcium. Lack of calcium can lead to several diseases in amphibians so you want to make sure yours is getting enough. Young ones need a more regular supply than an adult. Kevin suggested a good substrate combo. You want something that minimizes impaction risk. I change both my ABFs water dish every day, and sometimes twice a day depending on how much they gross it up. Both tend to like a soak and a poop after a good meal, and they seem to enjoy doing it in the water. I grabbed a cheapo toothbrush and scrub it out under hot tap water and then refill it using dechlorinated water. Hope this helps. Enjoy your frog! Do you have a name and any pictures as of yet??

[Kevin1]

oh almost forgot, I would also love to see some pictures of your pyxie.

[zackw419]

just some quick snapshots, I was told she was two. Does that mean she should be on a 2-3 feeding scheduele

does she look full grown to yall?

[zackw419]

also, would a diet of crickets, earthworms, and super worms be good staples?

[zackw419]

also, would a diet of crickets, earthworms, and super worms be good staples?

heres somemore pics







Her eyes dont look identical, it looks like the black of one eye leaks into the white part. Is that something to be worried about?

[Jace]

Based on the size and colouring, I would say you have an adult frog there. I am not an expert on sexing by any means, but yours has a lot of yellow and orange on it, which is like my male. My female has virtually no yellow and her throat is pure cream in colour. John would be a better one to ask. He sexed mine for me. Do you have measurements? Seems like a very mellow frog-I wish mine were like that!! As for the eye, if it is clear and not dulled or filmy and s/he seems to be able to detect movement on that side, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just something that happens that makes every frog truly unique.

Crickets and earthworms are a great staple. Not too many superworms though. African Bullfrogs love them-we jokingly call superworms amphibian crack-but they have low protein and high fat content. I give mine them as a treat twice a week after a protein meal of crickets and worms, and never more than 2 or 3.

You have a very nice looking frog. It's great to have another ABF owner to share ideas, experience and knowledge with!!

[Kevin1]

I'd say she looks about full grown. how big is she(SVL)?
That eye doesn't seem to be anything to worry about.
How long have you had her?

[zackw419]

Thank you jace

Kevin her dimensions are 5" from mouth to butt 4" from side to side (fattest part) and she's 9.5" around (fattest part of her body)

think shes full grown?

[John]

Hi Zack, welcome to the forum. Everyone's been very helpful (well done Kevin and Jo-Anna). I agree with all that's been said so far. Definitely an adult female and the eye looks odd but not something you can treat, nor is it a problem to the frog as long as she can eat. Very nice and thanks for sharing .

[Jace]

Guess I should stick to sexing rodents and cats!! Obviously NOT my forte....but that is why we leave that kind of thing to John. You have a great looking frog-thank you for sharing your pictures of her. Did I miss you mentioning a name in earlier posts?? Do you handle her often? What kind of set-up do you have her in? Sorry for all the questions-I always learn something or hear of something I would like to try from other members. That should do for now!!

She does look full grown. She has lost all of her froglet colouring and has the developed orange colouring under her armpits. My female just recently lost her bright green vertical stripe and she is a year old give or take.

[zackw419]

Guess I should stick to sexing rodents and cats!! Obviously NOT my forte....but that is why we leave that kind of thing to John. You have a great looking frog-thank you for sharing your pictures of her. Did I miss you mentioning a name in earlier posts?? Do you handle her often? What kind of set-up do you have her in? Sorry for all the questions-I always learn something or hear of something I would like to try from other members. That should do for now!!

She does look full grown. She has lost all of her froglet colouring and has the developed orange colouring under her armpits. My female just recently lost her bright green vertical stripe and she is a year old give or take.

I mentioned she was a female from the start. Thanks for the compliments. I havn't named her yet, usually names just come to me. I've only had her for 3 days and right now she's in a 15 gal tank. Today im going to get plants and potting soil and I'm gonna start planting in the enclosure.

whats an ideal sized take for a full grown female?

[Jace]

15 to 25 gallon should be adequate. It all depends what you want to do with it, as well. African Bullfrogs don't move around a whole lot, though they can motor when they want to. Females stay smaller than males. I can't wait to see pictures of your set-up. I do not have a green thumb, though I have experimented with plants with my fire bellied toads and so far so good.

And yes, you did mention she was female. I totally missed that, sorry. Re-reading is always a good thing!! Best of luck with the name. It took me almost a week to name my male, and about an hour to name my female. Girl power maybe??? Lol-anyway, best of luck.

[zackw419]

15 to 25 gallon should be adequate. It all depends what you want to do with it, as well. African Bullfrogs don't move around a whole lot, though they can motor when they want to. Females stay smaller than males. I can't wait to see pictures of your set-up. I do not have a green thumb, though I have experimented with plants with my fire bellied toads and so far so good.

And yes, you did mention she was female. I totally missed that, sorry. Re-reading is always a good thing!! Best of luck with the name. It took me almost a week to name my male, and about an hour to name my female. Girl power maybe??? Lol-anyway, best of luck.

lol thanks jace!

hopefully I'll have some pics up later tonight. Dont expect to be blown away

[Jace]

I recently cleaned and did a change on the substrate of my two. I was using the wrong substrate, so I switched to combo of organic soil and coconut fiber. My female has not been eating much, so I really hope she does not have impaction. Now that you mentioned plants, I wouldn't mind trying one in one of their tanks......thanks a lot!! Lol.

[Kevin1]

Hope your female is ok Jace.

[Tom Highum]

Me too.

[zackw419]

I recently cleaned and did a change on the substrate of my two. I was using the wrong substrate, so I switched to combo of organic soil and coconut fiber. My female has not been eating much, so I really hope she does not have impaction. Now that you mentioned plants, I wouldn't mind trying one in one of their tanks......thanks a lot!! Lol.

good luck

keep us posted!

[Jace]

Thanks everyone. She ate a worm today, though she hasn't had a bowel movement in a few days. I'm hoping that she will tonight. Tomorrow I am going to try a few crickets with her. They usually get her excited.