11 Best Pet Frogs: Are Frogs Good Pets?

I have always been obsessed with amphibians. While I’ve only had types of salamanders, like axolotls, as pets before, I’d love to have pet frogs someday. They might not be considered “normal” pets, but they can be great for anyone who loves observing interesting animals.

However, if you love frogs, it’s important to always do your research before getting a pet frog. Determine which species you want and thoroughly research their care requirements. And, of course, never take a frog out of the wild to keep as a pet.

Can a Frog Be a Pet?

Yes, frogs can be pets, but it depends on the species. Some frogs make great pets for the right person while other frogs should never be kept as pets. Some pet frogs are great for beginners while others have more complex needs. So, if you have your heart set on a certain frog species, determine whether they can be kept as a pet and decide if you can handle their care requirements.

Are Frogs Good Pets?

It depends on who you ask. Everyone has a different idea of what a “good” pet is. For most people, frogs aren’t great pets because they’re more for observing than interacting with. Like all amphibians, frogs have sensitive skin, so it’s best to avoid touching them as much as possible.

So, if you want a pet you can snuggle with and play with, a frog won’t be a good pet for you. Yet, if you love pets that you can observe from a distance, frogs are awesome. Think about what you’re looking for to decide if pet frogs are ideal for you. Just remember that you'll need to be okay with handling creepy crawlies if you want a frog.

Things to Do Before Getting a Pet Frog

You should never purchase a pet on a whim. Getting any pet, no matter how small, is a big decision. Before bringing a frog pet home, thoroughly research the species, specifically that species’ care requirements. Find out the tank size, temperature, humidity, and setup that works best and determine what the ideal diet for the frog is.

If you have the time, space, and money to care for the species, then it's time to prepare for your new pet. Set up the frog’s enclosure in advance. Make sure you have a properly-sized tank and food ready so your frog will receive proper care as soon as you bring them home. With everything prepared in advance, the transition will be much easier for your new frog.

Best Pet Frogs

Below are some of the most popular frog pet species. Some are great for beginners while others need a little more care. If any of these species appeal to you, make sure to research them more yourself to be absolutely sure you can properly care for them.

1. Pacman Frog (South American Horned Frog)

• Size: 4 to 7 inches long

• Lifespan: 10 to 15 years

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

• Tank Temperature: 70 to 80°F

• Tank Humidity: 60 to 80%

• Diet: Crickets, Dubia roaches, worms, small mice

South American horned frogs are more commonly called Pacman frogs due to their unusually round bodies and large mouths. They’re one of the most popular pet frogs because they’re fairly easy to care for, making them great for beginners. However, they’re not very active, so you won’t get to see them much. They frequently burrow in the substrate of their tanks so only the “horns” above their eyes stick out. Their bites can be painful, so keep your fingers away from their mouths.

2. African Dwarf Frog

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• Size: 2 to 3 inches long

• Lifespan: About 5 years

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

• Tank Temperature: 74 to 78°F

• Tank Humidity: N/A (fully aquatic)

• Diet: Brine shrimp, bloodworms, frog food pellets

African dwarf frogs are tiny, fully aquatic frogs that are great pets for beginners. They thrive when kept with at least one other African dwarf frog, but make sure to get either all males or all females to prevent them from reproducing. You’ll regularly see them floating around the tank with their legs spread out. They can be a bit clumsy when they swim, so shallow water is better than deep water.

3. White’s Tree Frog

• Size: 3 to 5 inches long

• Lifespan: 10 to 15 years

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons (vertical)

• Tank Temperature: 75 to 85°F

• Tank Humidity: 60 to 80%

• Diet: Crickets, waxworms, mealworms, Dubia roaches

White’s tree frogs, also known as Australian green tree frogs, are absolutely adorable, which is why many people are drawn to them. I’ve seen lots of videos of them trying to eat their food and missing, and something about it is so amusing and charming. They can be good pets for beginners, but you’ll need to set up an enclosure with vertical height and branches so they can climb.

4. Amazon Milk Frog

• Size: 2.5 to 4 inches long

• Lifespan: 8 to 10 years

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons (vertical)

• Tank Temperature: 75 to 85°F

• Tank Humidity: 60 to 80%

• Diet: Crickets, mealworms, waxworms

To me, Amazon milk frogs are another one of the cutest pet frogs out there. They have big eyes, blue-green bellies, and big, sticky toes. While they’re generally easy to care for, you shouldn't handle them, especially not with your bare hands. They can produce a sticky milk-like substance when threatened, which is toxic to predators. While the substance isn’t dangerous to humans, it’s best to avoid it by not handling the frogs.

5. Tomato Frog

• Size: 2.5 to 4 inches long

• Lifespan: 6 to 10 years

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

• Tank Temperature: 70 to 75°F

• Tank Humidity: 50 to 70%

• Diet: Crickets, earthworms, mealworms, waxworms, cockroaches

Tomato frogs got their name because they’re red and round just like a tomato. They’re ground-dwelling frogs that are fairly easy to care for. These pet frogs are nocturnal, so they typically burrow in the tank’s substrate during the day and then come out at night. When threatened, they release a gummy, toxic substance to protect themselves. This substance could cause minor reactions to humans, so don’t handle tomato frogs with your bare hands.

6. Gray Tree Frog

• Size: 1.25 to 2.25 inches long

• Lifespan: 7 to 10 years

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons (vertical)

• Tank Temperature: 68 to 78°F

• Tank Humidity: 50 to 70%

• Diet: Crickets, waxworms

These small tree frogs have a unique gray and brown pattern that helps them blend into trees. Their coloring alters slightly depending on the time of day and temperature. They’re great beginner frogs, as long as you can set up a vertical tank for them to climb around in. Like many other frogs, they can release an irritating toxin, but it’s mostly harmless to humans. 

7. African Bullfrog (Pixie Frog)

• Size: 4.5 to 9.5 inches long

• Lifespan: 20 to 40 years

• Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons

• Tank Temperature: 70 to 80°F

• Tank Humidity: 60 to 80%

• Diet: Crickets, locusts, earthworms, small mice

African bullfrogs are massive compared to other popular pet frogs. So, make sure you have enough space for a large tank, which should be wide instead of tall. At least a third of the tank should include water for them to swim in. Like other frog species, they prefer not to be handled. In fact, they have tiny, sharp teeth and can deliver a painful bite if provoked, so it’s best to keep your hands away when caring for them.

8. American Green Tree Frog

• Size: 1.25 to 2.5 inches long

• Lifespan: 2 to 6 years

• Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons (vertical)

• Tank Temperature: 65 to 68°F (night) and 72 to 80°F (day)

• Tank Humidity: 70 to 90%

• Diet: Crickets, fruit flies, worms

American green tree frogs have bright green coloring, helping them blend in well with leaves. While they spend most of their time climbing, they also like to have access to shallow water. They’re often kept in small groups, but that’s not a requirement for them. These frogs can get fairly noisy, especially during the mating season. Their mating calls sound like nasally honks or barks, and they can repeat that sound up to 75 times per minute.

9. Red-Eyed Tree Frog

• Size: 2 to 3 inches

• Lifespan: 8 to 12 inches

• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons (vertical)

• Tank Temperature: 75 to 85°F

• Tank Humidity: 60 to 80%

• Diet: Crickets, roaches, mealworms, waxworms, hornworms

Red-eyed tree frogs are one of the most recognizable frog species because their bright red eyes contrast their green skin. They’re fascinating creatures to observe, but like other pet frogs, they prefer not to be handled. They spend most of their time climbing, and they can jump quickly and far, so they could suddenly disappear if you take them out of their enclosure. They often make loud croaking noises, especially at night since they’re nocturnal.

10. Poison Dart Frog

• Size: 1 to 2 inches

• Lifespan: 10 to 15 years

• Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons (plus 5 gallons per additional frog)

• Tank Temperature: 65 to 80°F

• Tank Humidity: 70 to 100%

• Diet: Fruit flies, crickets, springtails

Poison dart frogs might not sound like good pets since they’re poisonous, but they can be manageable to care for. Surprisingly, poison dart frogs in captivity don’t have the same toxicity as wild ones. The poison comes from their wild diet, which includes formicine ants, so by eating different critters in captivity, they’re no longer toxic. However, they still have very sensitive skin like other frogs, so it’s best not to touch them.

11. Fire-Bellied Toad

• Size: 2 inches

• Lifespan: 12 to 20 years

• Minimum Tank Size: 15 gallons

• Tank Temperature: 70 to 75°F 

• Tank Humidity: 50 to 80%

• Diet: Earthworms, crickets, roaches, mealworms, silkworms

You might be wondering why a toad is on a list about frogs, but the reality is that toads are actually a type of frog. So, all toads are frogs but not all frogs are toads. Fire-bellied toads are one of the coolest toad species because they’re green with beautiful red-orange bellies. Most of their enclosure should be made up of water since they spend most of their time swimming, but they should have some land to climb onto. They’re poisonous to predators, but they only harm humans if their toxins get near your eyes and mouth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do Pet Frogs Live?

Pet frogs can live anywhere from 5 to 40 years, depending on the species. Research your desired species’ lifespan to help you decide if you can make that long of a commitment.

What Do Pet Frogs Eat?

Pet frogs typically eat a variety of insects and worms, such as crickets, roaches, mealworms, waxworms, and earthworms. Big frogs may even eat small mice. Research a specific species to find out that frog's necessary diet.

Where Can You Find Pet Frogs for Sale?

I always recommend checking exotic pet rescues and shelters first when looking for pet frogs for sale. There are also ethical breeders and some pet stores that sell them. Research the source before buying your frog to ensure you’re not supporting a business that mistreats animals.

Pets Frogs are Awesome for the Right People

Pet frogs might not be the most popular companions, but many people love them (like me). If you’re looking for a pet that you can hold and play with, frogs aren’t right for you, but they’re great if you love having a cool pet to observe.

Before getting a pet frog, thoroughly research the frog species you’re interested in. Pets are living creatures, not decorations, so it’s important to ensure you have the time, money, and space for them.