What You Need for a Frog Habitat

Many species of frogs are commonly kept in captivity as pets. Most species of frogs make great pets, and a proper frog habitat is necessary to make sure the frog stays healthy and lives a long life. The primary goal of any successful frog habitat is to replicate the frog's natural environment, and for a proper frog habitat, you'll need an enclosure, heating, lighting, substrate, and decoration.

  1. Enclosure

    • The enclosure is the actual container in which the frog will live. The enclosure can range from a glass aquarium to a custom-made cage built specifically for the frog. Depending on the species, the enclosure should be large enough to allow the frog to move around sufficiently. For example, poison dart frogs are active and will need more room, whereas pacman frogs are sedentary and do not need much space. For most species of frog, a 15-gallon tank will work well. The enclosure should have a secure lid to prevent the frog from escaping, and the lid should be made of screen or mesh to ensure adequate ventilation. Some species of frog require higher humidity, and these requirements cannot be met with a screen or mesh lid. In this case, custom-made acrylic enclosures work best.

    Heating

    • Frog habitats may need a heat source if the frog is of a tropical origin. There are a number of heat sources available, such as heat lamps and heating pads that go under the enclosure. Heating pads are recommended if the frog needs a heat source, because heat lamps can dry out the enclosure. Most frog habitats will not require extra heat if the surrounding area is kept at room temperature.

    Lighting

    • Most frog habitats will need supplemental UVB lighting. This lighting is necessary for two reasons. The first is that the UVB rays provide frogs with necessary vitamin D, and the second reason is that a 12-hour light and 12-hour dark cycle will help replicate the frog's natural light cycle. These lights can come in bulb or tube form, and can be placed on top of or near the habitat.

    Substrate

    • The substrate is the material that lines the bottom of the habitat. It is up to the preference of the frog keeper as to whether the substrate should be naturalistic, such as dirt, moss, or coconut fiber, or artificial, like paper towels. Each of these substrates has its own positive and negative aspects. Paper towel substrate makes the habitat easier to clean, because it can simply be replaced. Dirt, however can hold live plants and holds humidity better, and humidity is necessary for optimal frog health.

    Decor

    • The decorations placed in the frog's habitat make the habitat pleasing to the human eye, and provide necessary places for the frog to hide, bask, and obtain moisture. Typical frog habitat decorations include rocks, cork bark, branches, caves, and plants. Depending on your preference, these decorations can be naturalistic or artificial, and the sky is the limit for how creative or elaborate they can be. It is important, however, that all habitat decorations are secured and will not move or fall onto the frog.

    Moisture

    • Some frog habitats should have a water source inside the habitat. Depending on the species of frog that will be living in the habitat, you may need a large water dish, or the frog may need to be misted each day to provide moisture and humidity.