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Are you thinking about getting a frog as a pet? If so, then you’ve come to the right place! Frogs do make wonderful pets! They’re cute, pretty easy to care for, and not too expensive to maintain. However, before becoming a froggy pet parent, there are things you’ll need to know about the cost of frogs and their upkeep.
In this article, we’ll explore the different costs involved in taking care of a pet frog! Let’s get started!
Buy from a Respected Frog Breeder
Frogs are going extinct in the wild. Part of this is due to changes in the environment and climate; however, another reason some frog species are going extinct is due to humans.
There are humans who go out hunting frogs, which they then sell to individuals. This is tragic, as frogs are very important for their specific environments. Plus, these species do go extinct, even though some are in captivity.
So, it’s always best to buy your pet frog from a reputable breeder. This is the best. If you must buy a frog from the pet shop, ask where the frogs come from, as well as the conditions where they’re raised. That’s about the best you can do. Never buy from an individual who is not a breeder. You can bet their frogs come from the wild. Stay away from these sellers.
How Much Does It Cost to Buy a Frog?
The answer to this question depends on the species of frog you’d like to buy. Some frog species are more expensive than others. So, in this section, we’ll take a look at various frog species and their cost.
- White Lipped Tree Frog: $30
- White’s Tree Frog: $40-$80
- Waxy Monkey Frog: $60-$80
- Tomato Frog: $20-$50
- Red Eyed Tree Frog: $25-$75
- Amazon Milk Frog: $40-100
- Pacman Frog: $15-$50
- Oriental Fire Bellied Toad: $15-$25
- American Green Tree Frog: $10
- Gray Tree Frog: $8-$20
- American Toad: $10
- Green & Black Dart Frog: $40-$80
- African Dwarf Frog: $4
- Burmese Chubby Frog: $10-$30
As you can see, there’s a wide variation in the price of the frogs! That’s because some species are rarer than others. You may be able to find the cheaper frogs in a pet shop; however, the more expensive frogs will need to come from a breeder.
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Ask a Vet Live NowHow Much Does a Frog Habitat Cost?
Next, you’ll need to buy a habitat for your frog! What’s really best is to determine the type of frog you’d like and then buy the correct habitat for him. This way, you can set up the frog’s new home and have it acclimated before you bring the frog home. This is better for the frog and also causes less stress for him.
A frog habitat can be a terrarium or a fish tank set up as a terrarium. But it’s essential to know the type of environment your frog will need. You’ll need to know how much space the frog will require, if he’s part terrestrial and aquatic, only aquatic, or if he needs an arboreal habitat. This is essential to the health and survival of your frog. Buying and setting up the right habitat will ensure your frog’s happiness, comfort, and health.
Another issue to consider is how many frogs you’ll keep in the habitat. Will you have more than one frog? Be careful here! Here are frog species that need to live alone, rather than with some others of their kind. If you buy a frog who wants to live alone, they will kill all the other frogs in the tank. On the other hand, there are frogs who may prefer living with others of their species. Be sure to ask the breeder or the pet shop if the frog needs to live alone or whether they can live with others of their own kind. This is another factor that will determine the size of the tank you need.
Each type of frog will require a different habitat. For instance, tree frogs may need a tall habitat, which allows them to climb. However, another frog may need a fish tank because it lives in the water.
For frogs that are part land and part aquatic, the habitat will need space enough for both types of environments. You’ll need a rectangular fish aquarium, which can run between $20 to over $200.
Substrate for the Frog’s Habitat
Once you have the frog’s habitat and other equipment, it’s necessary to consider the type of substrate the frog will need. Again, this depends on the species of frog and the type of environment they need. Here are some substrates that are safe for frogs:
Coconut fiber: is made from the husks (the other covering) of a coconut. This is very popular for amphibians and is relatively inexpensive. This may cost about $12.
Coco husk: this is similar to coconut fiber but is made in the form of chips. It retains moisture and creates places to place live plants. This usually costs about $10.
Soil: this is another inexpensive substrate. This will need to be soil, not potting soil. There’s a difference. It’s best to buy this at the pet shop or online—just be sure it’s meant to be used with amphibians. This may cost about $2 or a little more.
Other Equipment for the Frog’s Habitat
Along with the tank, it will be necessary to buy a heater, lights, etc. Here, again, the type of heater will depend on the species of frog and their specific environmental requirements.
For a Pacman Frog, for instance, you can buy a heater for about $17.
You might also consider a heat lamp; however, these are a problem because the lamps tend to dry out the environment in the habitat. This is bad for the frog, which needs to stay moist.
The type of light will be different for each frog. Some can use a mix of UVB & UVA light, while other frog species don’t need UVB light.
Generally speaking, a heat lamp runs about $17.
How Much Does Food Cost for a Frog?
This one’s a little harder to determine. That’s because each frog has their own dietary requirements, plus the amount they eat will vary by species and size.
To keep it simple, ask the breeder or at the pet shop about how much it costs to feed the frog you want. Determine how much the weekly and monthly costs are, which makes it easier to budget the amount needed for your frog’s food.
Summing It Up
So, there you have it! Just starting out, the cost for buying a frog and everything it needs will run between $100 to $200. Of course, this may be more or less, depending on the type of frog you get and the type of a habitat the frog requires.
We hope you have a lot of fun getting your pet frog, and we wish you both many years of froggie companionship!
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Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
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