The Diet of Amphibians

There are three categories of amphibians: frogs and toads, salamanders and caecilians. They are cold-blooded vertebrates, many of which are nocturnal and hunt their prey under the cover of darkness. Amphibians use their keen sense of hearing, sight and smell to find crickets, meal worms and termites. Their natural diet will consist of mainly protein and micronutrients.

  1. History

    • Amphibians date back in existence to over 400 million years ago. They live in all parts of the world, but the majority of them live in tropical climate zones. Evolution suggests that amphibians came from certain fish species, making them the first vertebrates to transition from water to land. There are over 6,200 species of amphibians.

    Types

    • There are more then a dozen classes of frogs and toads that live in water and wooded areas. They are tailless creatures that have legs and ears; some have skin glands which secrete a poisonous substance. They are carnivorous, nocturnal hunters that do not chew, swallowing their prey whole.

      Salamanders have smooth skin, tails and tiny limbs that can be regenerated if lost. Most salamanders live near water and moist vegetation, but some dwell in caves. They are nocturnal.

      Caecilians look like eels and range in size from 7 inches to 4 1/2 feet. They have no limbs, have poor eyesight and possess teeth and a jaw. About 50 of these burrowing species of amphibians live on four continents in the tropical climates.

    Natural Diet

    • Frog and toad diets consist of many types of insects, snails, worms and flies. Some eat fish, and some of the larger frogs eat small lizards and mice. Some species eat small fish. Large frogs will eat snakes and small mammals in the tropics.

      Salamanders prey mostly on worms, insects, slugs, centipedes, crickets, spiders, leeches and amphibian eggs.

      Caecilians eat termites, worms and insect larvae.

    Supplemental Diet

    • Amphibians in captivity must be fed a balanced diet that includes protein, vitamins, minerals, lipids--also known as oils and fats--and carbohydrates.

      Healthy supplements are feeder insects dusted with vitamin/mineral powders or wax worms injected with a liquid nutritional supplement. These supplements can be purchased online at most exotic animal supply houses.

      Harvesting wild insects is best, and feeding at night is preferential because of their natural nocturnal behavior.

    Illness and Disease

    • Amphibians are prone to obesity or starvation without proper nutrition. They are also susceptible to intestinal blockage if the diet contains excessive fiber.