African Tree Frogs are a species of aquatic frog found commonly throughout the Congo River region of Africa. Due to their low maintenance requirements, they are quite well-liked by both pet owners and breeders. Nevertheless, because of their high mortality rate, you must take good care of them.
What is the actual lifespan of these frogs? Their lifespan varies depending on their environment, whether they are in the wild or under captive care.
Here, we will discuss how long they live, along with some things that can be fatal for them.
How long do African Dwarf Frogs live in the wild?
On average, an African Dwarf Frog has a life expectancy in the wild of roughly 5 years. While they live in the wild, they are exposed to many different kinds of bacteria and diseases. Also, they are often preyed upon by other aquatic animals.
How long do African Dwarf Frogs live in captivity?
An African Dwarf Frog under proper care in captivity can have an extended lifespan. With proper care, you can extend their lifespan by up to 20 years.
What kills African Dwarf Frogs?
The most common disease among frog species is called dropsy, also known as bloating, where the frog appears to be full of air like a balloon. This is extremely stressful on your frog’s body and can lead to its demise. Read this article on Why is my African Dwarf Frog bloated? to learn more about this.
Unfavorable tank conditions and dirty water hold an abundance of bacteria. Another thing to note is, if the water has high ammonia and nitrate content, this is extremely injurious to any aquatic creature. It will kill anything residing in your aquarium.
Food is a key factor in your frog’s survivability. You must provide them with just enough food. Not getting enough food will eventually make your frog unhealthy and shorten their lifespan. Also, since these frogs love live food, keep in mind that it can contain parasites that can be deadly for them.
Overcrowding the tank will induce stress in your frogs, which can also kill your frogs, especially if you add them with any of the things mentioned above.
Lastly, staying out of the water for too long can quickly lead them to their doom. These frogs are fragile creatures. In low humidity, they can never make it past the 20 minute mark because of their skin drying out.
Are African Dwarf Frogs difficult to keep alive?
A simple answer to this question is no. These amphibians do not really require a lot of attention and are very easy to take care of. However, there are some things that can be fatal for them if you don’t pay proper attention.
Conclusion
All animals have a longer lifespan if you take care of them properly. This is especially true in terms of African dwarf frogs. These frogs normally have an 80% mortality rate and, even as adults, have quite fragile bodies. If you can nurture your pet African Dwarf Frog properly, you can easily expect to have your favorite little amphibian around for as long as 20 years.
