What Do Green Frogs Eat?

Green frogs (Rana clamitans) are carnivores that are usually found in habitats that surround inland waters, such as swamps, ponds and lakes. They mostly eat insects, but some bigger frogs have been known to go after prey as big as a baby mouse. They can also be kept as pets if the conditions are conducive to their lifestyle and they are fed the right food.

  1. Hunting and Feeding

    • Green frogs do not have teeth, so they have to swallow their meal whole. They have sticky tongues that take less than a second to roll out, leaving their prey no time to react. Green frogs also use their eyes to help them swallow. Their eyes sink down into their skulls to force food down their throat.

    Feeding Times and Frequency

    • Green frogs are active both day and night, so they do not feed at any specific time. They usually travel alone, unless it is the breeding season when they tend to be found in groups. The size of the species will dictate how often it needs to eat. The smaller the species, the more it will need to be fed. Green frogs are medium-sized frogs, so they would need to eat about three to four times per week.

    Types of Food

    • Green frogs eat insects of every size, such as ants, beetles and crickets. They also eat grasshoppers, spiders and moth larvae. Green frogs also eat fish, crayfish, worms, slugs, snails, caterpillars, butterflies and moths. Both live and dead food can be found at pet stores, but it is better to feed your pet green frog live prey to mimic the way it would hunt for prey in the wild.

    Special Considerations

    • The correct portion size for a green frog should be no larger than the width of its head. Make sure to give your green frog food that has not been sprayed with insecticides. Also be careful letting green frogs cohabitate with other frogs. They are cannibals and have been known to eat other frogs and tadpoles.