Although you might not think it to be common, frogs are quite an ordinary pet. Yes, they are not as common as bad hamsters or birds, but a pet frog can be a great companion.
Pets such as dogs and cats can be played with and cuddled with. The problem with insects and reptiles, or amphibians such as frogs is that- they cannot be cuddled. Meaning, that there are limitations on how much you can hold them with your hands. To a lot of people, this barrier is a red flag. Especially, if you are getting this pet for your children, you truly need to consider the fact that your child will try and hold it or play with it almost all the time.
Luckily, there are frogs that you can pet. Certain kinds of amphibian frogs require a little bit more attention. Therefore, these are the best pet frogs you can hold without disturbing them.
Frogs such as African bullfrogs, Burmese chubby frogs, tomato frogs, or the waxy monkey frog require a little bit more attention than usual toads. They also require a minimum amount of care. Therefore, these are considered to be great frogs that you can touch and cuddle.
Best Pet Frogs For Handling
Looking for pet frogs that you can cuddle with? Here are 11 options that you might want to look into –
1. Vietnamese Mossy Frog
These frogs are very shy. Luckily, they are completely non-toxic. Considered to be social and fun, Vietnamese mossy frogs do not enjoy handling too much. But you can touch them and play with them when they are in the right mood.
Since they can become agitated easily, and are shy, it is better if you touch them according to the general frog handling etiquette.
Sometimes these frogs can carry viral diseases. Eventually, they can sometimes carry Salmonella.
2. Oriental Fire-Bellied Frogs
These frogs are quite cute to look at. They are also very social and active. When compared to other frogs on our list, this one might be the most active. It is their liveliness and fun nature that attracts people to keep them as pets. They are capable of handling moderate amounts of touch and cuddling.
You cannot cuddle them too much. When playing with them, you need to keep an eye out to see whether they are becoming agitated or not.
Another thing that you need to know about Oriental fire-bellied frogs is that they are mildly toxic. If they are captured from the wild and kept as pets directly, they can be carriers of diseases such as Ranavirus and even Salmonella.
3. Gray Tree Frog
The gray tree frog is a bit skittish and timid. You can touch them and play with them for a long while. But the downside is- they can be toxic at times. These frogs are notorious for carrying diseases such as Salmonella, and other bacterial and viral diseases.
Because they are so calm, it is very easy to handle them. If the frog does not have any of the diseases mentioned above- you can handle them without worrying. But still, it is recommended that you touch them only while wearing gloves.
It should also be noted that when gray tree frogs are exposed to toxic or stressful situations, they create toxins through their skin. Therefore, it is better to always wear gloves when handling them just to be on the safe side.
4. Amazon Milk Frogs
These peaceful frogs are very timid. They are poisonous to predators but are not harmful to humans. Occasionally, some Amazon milk frogs can carry diseases such as Salmonella.
A great way to identify whether or not you can touch your Amazon milk frog is to look at its size. If it is larger than 2 inches You can pet it without any worry. But experts will suggest you not to touch them or play with them for long periods.
The frogs are sticky to the touch and not harmful at all. Their skin is permeable and so you should always wash your hands before you touch them. It is also recommended to use powder-free disposable glass when touching Amazon milk frogs.
5. Waxy Monkey Frog
Waxy monkey frogs are very cute to look at. That is why most people cannot resist the temptation to hold them. They have a very timid personality and can be played with quite easily. Compared to other frogs, they can handle cuddles much better.
Although it might seem like they are okay with physical touch, you should not play with them too often. This can put them in a stressful situation which is not good for their health.
Sometimes, when put in stressful situations, a waxy monkey tree frog will have some toxic gland secretions. But these toxins are not harmful to humans. Therefore, touching a waxy monkey frog will not be dangerous for you.
But since their skin is very permeable, you should make sure to wash your hands properly before touching them. Otherwise, any kind of bacteria, chemicals, oil, or even salt from your body could be transferred into theirs.
6. White Lipped Frogs
Because they are so peaceful and have no toxic situation, the white-lipped frog is great for holding. Luckily, these peaceful frogs are capable of handling touch better than the others.
One good thing about these frogs is that- they do not attack readily. The calmness of the frogs is what makes them so cuddle-friendly.
Similar to all other frogs, even though they can handle touch well, you should avoid any kind of excess handling.
Since these frogs can sometimes carry diseases such as the Ranavirus or Salmonella, it is recommended that you use gloves when touching them.
7. White’s Tree Frogs
These frogs are very docile and peaceful. They also do not have any toxicity in them. Like most other frogs, there is a risk of Ranavirus or Salmonella carried by them.
But people say that the white’s tree frogs are the best pet frogs you can hold. This is because they are very calm and peaceful. They can handle gentle touch quite well. When touched or played with for small periods, they can be quite interactive and friendly.
It is recommended that you touch them for only 15 minutes once a week. Although they are not poisonous, it is still recommended that you use gloves when handling these frogs.
8. Red-Eyed Tree Frogs
Red-eyed tree frogs are non-toxic. But they can get startled quite easily. If touched for short periods, these frogs can handle interactions quite well.
Luckily, these frogs do not secrete any toxins. Therefore, they can be touched with bare hands in necessary situations. But you have to be very gentle when touching them since they can get startled quite easily.
Keep in mind that they are very sensitive. The interactive touching or handling sessions should be short and gentle. You should not make any sudden movements, or you should not touch them or move them too fast if you want to keep them comfortable.
9. African Bullfrogs
African bullfrogs have a very long-life expectancy. They can leave for up to 35 years if taken care of properly. Since they are calm, they can be attached for a very short period.
But they have a nature of becoming aggressive when trying to defend their territory. Therefore, it is recommended not to touch them if there are no emergencies. Another downside to touching frogs is that they can bite at times if they feel threatened.
Unlike most frogs on our list- it is safe to touch African bull frogs with your bare hands. But you need to make sure that your hands are clean first!
10. Tomato Frogs
Tomato frogs are docile. They are not toxic to humans. Similar to other frogs, they don’t like to be touched for too long. But if there is an emergency- you can touch them.
Sometimes tomato frogs can secrete toxins. This secretion is not life-threatening for humans, but it can cause an allergic reaction in some people.
11. Burmese Chubby Frogs
Burmese chubby frogs are extremely cute and easy-going! Because they are a bit round and chubby, it is very tempting to hold them. Their shape and nature are what makes them a very popular choice amongst all frog lovers.
Luckily the Burmese chubby frog can handle a little bit of touch. When touched for a short time- these frogs can be interactive and playful. But you need to keep an eye out for any kind of stressed behavior. If they get stressed, they can give out a sticky secretion. This is not poisonous but can be a bit messy.
Things You Should Know About Before Getting A Pet Frog
Before you buy a pet frog, there are a few things that you need to know about it. These things are mainly catered towards their maintenance.
1. Know About Their Habitat
Since frogs are used to the natural and wild habitat, you will have to make some efforts when recreating that environment indoors. This is the most expensive and perhaps the lengthiest procedure that you need to do before you buy a frog.
A lot of people keep their frogs in open aquariums. The aquarium needs to have a water body, and the humidity and temperature of the interior need to be regulated quite well.
You need to clean the aquarium often to make the place livable for your pet frog. This is perhaps the most crucial and tedious task that comes with owning a frog.
2. Cleaning
It is recommended that you clean their aquariums every two weeks. If that is not possible, every 4 weeks should be mandatory.
Cleaning the aquarium is another task on its own. You need to use the right kind of cleaner that does not have any chemicals that can seep into the frog’s skin. Regular tap water cannot be used. You need to add a water conditioner to the water body of the aquarium and you also need to ensure that the water body has the right neutral pH levels. If needed you can add a water filter as well.
3. Light
Frogs cannot regulate their body temperature. Therefore, you will need an extra heat pad or special lighting system to help them with this. Using the light, you can also train your frog to adjust itself to a day and night routine.
4. Giving Them The Proper Food
Frogs usually eat insects in the wild. They use their long sticky tongue to capture insects, worms, slugs, or even flies. When you are keeping a frog as a pet, try and add these insects to your frog’s diet. You can buy crickets, flies, and worms for them to enjoy. Getting a hold of these foods should not be difficult if you have a pet store nearby.
Additionally, you can also add algae or lettuce as a form of nutrition for your pet frog. Any kind of crushed leaf, vegetable, or spinach is also good for a frog diet.
Do Frogs Like To Be Held?
The simple answer to this is a no. Frogs are not too fond of being held or cuddled. They need their space and sleep. If you pick up a sleeping frog, it will feel disturbed and agitated.
According to Smithsonian’s national zoo and conservation biology institute, some frogs such as the poison dart frog can secrete poison from their skin. Therefore, you need to be extra cautious about which frog you are planning on cuddling with.
While most frogs cannot be cuddled with, some species can be held without causing too much trauma to them.
How To Hold Frogs?
If you decide to play with your frog, make sure that you wash your hands before. This is because- bacteria in your hand can easily be transferred to its skin.
According to frogpets.com you should lay the frog on your fingers and caress them with your thumb gently. After playing with it for a while, put it back down into its aquarium gently and ensure that you wash your hands.
You need to make sure that the phone that you are playing with is safe for touch. Some frogs are capable of releasing harmful toxins that can be bad for your health. That is why a lot of specialists also recommend using gloves when touching frogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between A Frog And A Toad?
Toads are a subcategory of frogs. Not all frogs are toads. Both of these amphibians are from the Anura order. This means that- neither frogs nor toads have tails.
The difference between a frog and a toad is that- frogs live around water bodies and have a longer set of hind legs. They are slimy on the exterior but have smooth skin. Toads on the other hand do not have such long hind legs and usually have dry skin that is not slimy at all. Their skin often has knobs and bumps as well. Toads do not need to live around water bodies. They can live on land without any trouble.
What Are The Dangers Of Keeping Frogs As Your Pet?
A lot of people will advise you to not bring in any wild frog inside your home as a pet. This is because frogs can sometimes carry infections and bacteria that might be harmful to you and your child’s health.
But, if you buy frogs from professional breeders or a pet store, the chances of this happening decrease by a large margin. If you know how to take care of a frog properly, it should not cause you any trouble or harm at all.
How Ethical Is It To Keep Frogs As Pets?
This is a question that has a subjective answer. While frogs are wild amphibians that strive in nature- depending on the location and situation, you might be doing the frog a favor at times by bringing it home.
If the frog is in a dangerous condition outdoors, and you are sure that it won’t be able to survive on its own, bringing it home as a pet might be better for it.
Otherwise, removing a frog from the ecosystem and putting it into captivity surely is not the most ethical thing that you could do.
How Often Should You Play With Frogs?
Frogs do not handle touching too well. Therefore it is recommended that you play with them for a total of 1 hour every week.
How many hours or how long you can play with frogs depends on the breed. But in general it is better not to play with them too often since it can put them in a stressful situation.
Conclusion
Most species of frogs do not handle petting too well. They can sometimes secrete toxins from their skin when touched. Luckily, there are a few species of frogs that are not too overwhelmed by physical touch. These can be the best pet frogs that you can hold.
Frogs such as the African bullfrog, whites tree frog, and the tomato frog can be good options that your child can hold. They will not be too shocked by the physical touch, and can therefore be great pets for little cuddle sessions!
