Things You'll Need
- 20-gallon or larger fish tank with UVB light
- Under-tank heat pad
- Fertilizer-free potting compost or amphibian substrate
- Shallow ceramic dish
- Live food
- Plant sprayer
- Small holding tank
- Amphibian-safe disinfectant
- Vinyl gloves
Instructions
Set up a large tank for your frog. Add a layer of damp, fertilizer-free potting compost or a substrate specifically for amphibians at least 1 inch deeper than the height of your frog.
Provide heat if necessary with a heat pad under the tank. Ornate horned frogs need a temperature of approximately 75 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Never use a reptile heat lamp for amphibians, as it can dehydrate their skin
Fill a shallow ceramic dish with 2 inches of dechlorinated water. The simplest way to dechlorinate tap water is to fill a bucket and leave for 24 hours. The water should not be deeper that the distance between your frog's mouth and the ground. Ornate horned frogs drown easily. Replace the water daily.
Feed your frog live or frozen food, such as crickets, of a suitable size two to three times a week. They are able to eat practically any food item that is smaller than them. Dust the food once a week with a calcium and vitamin D supplement. A suitable powder is available from reptile supply stores. You can feed the frog daily, but there is a risk of obesity. If your frog becomes wider than it is long, you are feeding too often.
Mist the tank daily with dechlorinated water in a plant sprayer.
Replace the substrate once a week. Move the frog to a small tank with substrate while you clean out the main one. Clean the main tank with a disinfectant specifically for amphibian tanks. Rinse away all traces before replacing the substrate and returning the frog.