Instructions
Look at the frog's rear feet. Water frogs typically have large, webbed feet that help them swim through water. The frog will not typically stand on its feet when taken out of water. Instead, water frogs are more likely to try to swim through the air. If the frog has sticky pads on its toes, it is a terrestrial frog and lives near water.
Inspect the frog's skin. Water frog skin is typically more slippery than the skin of other frogs. This helps them easily glide through the water and keeps their skin healthy.
Examine the shape of your frog's body. Water frog bodies are typically streamlined to allow them to move easily through water. They frequently have flat backs with rounded, large stomachs and triangular heads.
Place the frog in water. Water frogs will start swimming immediately and typically move very quickly. Frogs that live near water may not move or may try to jump out of the water.
Read about the different species of frogs to determine the appropriate care for your frog. See Resources for a list of common frog pets.
How to Tell if Your Frog Is a Water Frog
Frogs are amphibians, and all frogs spend some part of their life cycle in water. Aquatic frogs, however, live in the water as adults. Most aquatic frogs breathe by surfacing to take in oxygen, but some aquatic frogs can perform partial respiration through their skin. The African dwarf frog and African clawed frog are increasingly popular aquatic frogs, and most swimming frogs sold in pet stores are one of these two species.