How to Build a Frog Habitat

Small frogs and toads can make excellent first pets for children. Why not read up on what species is most appropriate for your household, and spend some family time on a project that is fun and educational? After settling on a species, build a half-water, half-land habitat for your pet that is relatively simple to maintain, and fun for kids and grown-ups alike to care for.

Things You'll Need

  • 20-gallon waterproof tank with lid
  • 12" x 7" sheet of glass
  • 3/4" x 12" plastic tubing
  • Aquarium sealant
  • Under-gravel water filter
  • Dechlorinated water
  • Gravel
  • Sphagnum moss
  • Branches, rocks, plants, caves, and other decorations
  • Heat lamp
  • Goldfish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a 20-gallon glass tank for your frog. This tank should have a secure screen lid that provides ventilation for your pet but prevents escapes. If you plan on keeping a frog that requires a greenhouse-like environment, choose a tank with a lid that is half glass and half screen.

    • 2

      Thoroughly wash the interior of the tank and the 12" x 7" sheet of glass. Fit the glass sheet into the middle of the tank, so that the edges of the sheet reach the sides of the tank, and the sheet stands upright 7" high in the center of the tank. Use the aquarium sealant to glue the sheet into place.

    • 3

      Slice the plastic tubing down one side and fit it over the exposed edge of the glass sheet. Make sure that the exposed edge is firmly inserted into the tube and use the aquarium sealant to glue the tube into place. At this point, the lower portion of your aquarium should be divided into two halves by a glass barrier topped with plastic tubing. This plastic tubing will prevent your frog from scratching itself as it climbs in and out of its water. Allow the aquarium sealant to dry for at least 24 hours.

    • 4

      Place the under-gravel filter at the bottom of the left side of the tank. Rinse the gravel to remove loose dirt and spread a 3/4" thick layer over the bottom of the left portion of the tank. Fill the right portion of the tank with gravel to the top of the glass barrier. Pour dechlorinated water into the tank until it also reaches the top of the glass barrier. The lower portion of your aquarium should now be split into two halves, with water on the left half and land mass on the right.

    • 5

      Soak the Sphagnum moss in water for approximately 10 minutes and spread the damp moss over the land mass on the right side of the tank. Decorate the terrarium with rocks, branches, caves, and plants. These items will make your terrarium more interesting to look at, and will also give your frog places to hide or climb.

    • 6

      Affix the heat lamp to the top of the aquarium, in one of the corners on the side with the land mass. The heat lamp should be outside of the enclosure, and your frog should be able to move away from it to cooler places. Make sure that your frog is not able to climb too close to the heat lamp.

    • 7

      Add the goldfish to the water on the left side of the tank. The fish will help to keep the water clean when the frog is molting, provided that your frog is not a species that will eat the fish!

    • 8

      Add your frog to the enclosure. Mist the tank with dechlorinated water once per day to preserve humidity.