A Detailed Guide to Horned Frog Care Methods and Precautions

In recent years, horned frogs have been affectionately called the "wealth-beckoning frog" and are arguably the most common pet frog in the world. Anyone who has kept one knows that horned frogs love to eat, and the only thing they love to do all day is eat. They have a large mouth that takes up nearly half of their body. In recent years, horned frogs have become even more popular, and more enthusiasts have joined the ranks of keeping pet horned frogs. Let's take a look at the care methods for horned frogs below!

Horned Frog Care Temperature

Horned frogs can actually hibernate, but if anything is not handled properly, they will die, so it is not recommended to let them hibernate. The temperature range that horned frogs can tolerate is 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature is lower, the frequency of feeding should be reduced somewhat, and the amount should be smaller as well. The optimal temperature range is 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Horned Frog Care Space

Horned frogs can be kept in any space with water. Generally, horned frogs will squat in the same place all day and rarely move, so the size of the space does not matter. As long as the water depth does not exceed half of their height, they can live very well. Each horned frog should be kept separately. Coconut soil can be laid directly in the terrarium, or a piece of thoroughly soaked sponge 1-2 cm thick can be provided for it to rest on, but do not choose stones with sharp, hard corners, to avoid injuring the horned frog when it scrapes against them while chasing prey.

Horned Frog Care Water Quality

The water used for keeping horned frogs should be dechlorinated water, filtered water, or spring water. Tap water can be dechlorinated by chemical methods, by boiling, or by leaving it in an open container overnight. Amphibians do not drink water; they rely on their skin to absorb moisture, so a large water dish should be provided so the frog can easily climb in and out. The simplest setup is to place a bare tank at a slant, allowing about one inch of water to collect at the lower end. The water should be changed every two days, or immediately once it becomes dirty.

Feeding Horned Frogs

1. Tadpole food: Horned frog tadpoles are carnivorous and can be fed bloodworms or other frog tadpoles. Their feeding method is similar to that of fish: they suck powdered food into the mouth together with water, then press the water out through the gill slits, and the food is swallowed. Artificial rearing has shown that horned frog tadpoles also feed on soybean cake, wheat bran, earthworm powder, fish meat, animal offal, and so on.

2. Adult frog food: Under artificial rearing, the main foods include small fish, small shrimp, Dubia roaches, grasshoppers, crickets, mealworms, other frogs (paddy frogs, frogs), pinky mice, and so on.

3. Feeding amount: Horned frogs eat mice, goldfish, earthworms, and almost anything that moves in front of them. The weekly food intake of an adult horned frog should not exceed one medium-sized mouse or two larger feeder goldfish. Overfeeding will cause the frog to become extremely overweight, which may make it unable to remain healthy in the long term.

4. Feeding live prey: Horned frogs should be fed live prey. If it is dead, use tweezers to hold it and shake it in front of them. If feeding mice, it is best to feed freshly killed or thawed mice, because this is safer for the frog and also somewhat kinder to the mouse.