How to Create a Frog Terrarium

Setting up a terrarium for a new pet frog offers interesting challenges for those used to keeping either fish or reptiles. Frog habitats vary widely by species, with some even requiring a partially aquatic set-up with access to a swimming hole. Most terrestrial frogs, including darts and tree frogs, are comfortable in an all-land terrarium as long as there is sufficient humidity to keep their delicate skin from drying out.

Things You'll Need

10 gallon or larger aquarium
Thermometer
Hydrometer
Pea gravel or LECA balls
Window screen
Coco fiber
Moss
Decorations

Instructions

- 1
  Choose the largest tank you can afford for your frog. This will allow plenty of space for your frog to grow and will be much cheaper in the long run than upgrading the tank multiple times. Arboreal (tree) frogs do best with vertically oriented tanks, while land frogs will be fine in a horizontal tank.
- 2
  Lay a 2- or 3-inch layer of pea gravel or clay LECA balls across the bottom of the terrarium.
- 3
  Cut a piece of window screen to the same size as the tank footprint, and place the screen over the gravel or LECA balls. This will prevent the soil layer from working its way into the water over time.
- 4
  Add an inch or two of coco fiber or ground peat moss over the screen.
- 5
  Add just enough water to the tank to reach the top of the gravel or LECA balls.
- 6
  Place moss and decorations into the tank, making sure that the frogs will have plenty of hiding places and things to climb on. Driftwood and coconut huts are great decorative elements, as they help retain moisture in the tank. Good mosses for frog terrariums include java moss, frog moss and sphagnum.
- 7
  Add the thermometer and hydrometer to the tank to monitor temperature and humidity.
- 8
  Give the tank a good misting, and allow it to settle for a week before adding a new frog.
- 9
  Check the water level often to ensure that the soil stays moist.