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?