Farm

Prior to their rediscovery in 1994, crested geckos were believed to be extinct. Now, they are a popular option for pets, especially amongst beginners. They require minimal care and maintenance, so it is easy to handle even if you are a novice when taking care of a gecko. Even for children, they are safe as a pet, provided that they are handled appropriately. It is also popularly called eyelash gecko, Caledonian crested gecko, or Guichenot’s giant gecko. The latter is derived from the last name of the French zoologist who has discovered this gecko.

If you want to take care of a crested gecko as a pet, keep on reading the rest of this post and we’ll let you know some important things, including its diet and captive habitat.

Physical Characteristics

The average length of the crested gecko is from seven to nine inches, which already includes the tail. Meanwhile, the approximate weight of a male crested gecko is 25 grams when it is an adult. Females are generally heavier, usually weighing 35 to 40 grams.

The head is flat and triangular in shape. Meanwhile, the eyes are large. Their eyelids have hair-like projections, which are the extension of their skin. The eyes also have a transparent scale, which will keep it moist. It has rows of soft and spiny scales, also called crests, which run from the top of the eyes all the way to the base of its tail.

The color of the crested gecko varies. Most of them will have shades of yellow, orange, grey, brown, blue, and red. They might even change their color throughout the day.

Behavior

One of the most notable from the behaviors of crested geckos is that they move a lot in vertical surfaces. Their toe pads and their tails allow them to show off agile movements. They are also known as good jumpers. They are also usually docile, although they can be aggressive and can bite when they feel that they are disturbed. They can also drop their tails when they attempt to get away from the threat. However, unlike other gecko species, their tails will not regenerate.

Environment

In the wild, you will often see crested geckos in inland forests, mountains, and coastal lands. They love being in tropical islands since they like environments that are humid and hot. Therefore, if you want to keep them as a pet and take care of them indoors, you should try to recreate such an environment.

At a minimum, you will need a 20-gallon tank when you are housing one adult crested gecko. Use a bigger enclosure if you plan to house more than one crested gecko. They are active and will require a lot of space to move, which is why a bigger tank is always better. The tank should be decorated with functional plants, even those that are artificial. A product like the Exo Terra Plastic Terrarium Plant

will be good to have.

The temperature in the enclosure is also important. To make it easier to check the temperature, you should invest in a product like the Zoo Med Labs Digital Thermometer

. On average, the temperature reading should be 78 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. It is safe to drop below 70 degrees at night. In the winter, the nighttime temperature can even drop to 60 degrees. If it is too cold, make sure that there is a source of heat, such as from a product like Fluker’s Repta-Clamp Ceramic Lamp

. The latter is dimmable, making it easier to control the light and the heat in the enclosure.

The substrate is another important component of the crested gecko’s modified living environment. It should be able to retain moisture, which is vital in keeping the necessary humidity in the cage. Coconut fiber is one of the most popular choices for their bedding. If you are looking for the perfect option, the Reptile Prime Coconut Bedding

should be on your radar.

Foods and Vitamins

Fruits and insects make up most of the diet of a crested gecko, both in the wild and in captivity. Crickets and roaches are some of the staples when it comes to their food. If they are too small, they should be gut loaded prior to being fed to the gecko. Pangea and repashy will also be great to be incorporated into their diet.

To provide the vitamins and minerals that will be needed by the crested gecko, one of the best things that you can do is to lightly dust their food with a calcium supplement. There are many products that can offer promising results such as the Rep-Cal Phosphorus-Free Calcium

.

A commercial crested gecko diet will also be well-loved by your pet. Nonetheless, make sure to provide a well-balanced diet by also introducing fruits and vegetables, not just the commercial pelleted foods. Some of the best fruits that they will eat include peaches, bananas, nectarines, papaya, mango, apricot, passion fruit, and pear.

Health Problems

Especially when you do not pay attention to the proper care of the crested gecko, it can be easily prone to a number of health problems. Stomatitis or mouth rot is one of the common issues. Some of the most common signs that the crested gecko has this problem include redness in the mouth and excess mucus. If the gecko is wheezing, this can be indicative of a respiratory problem. Rashes can also be common, which could be a sign of a parasitic infection.

Other Tips for Taking Care of Crested Gecko

Below are other important tips for taking care of a crested gecko:

• Crested geckos are solitary creatures. Therefore, they will do best when they are left on their own and not disturbed. You can keep multiple geckos together, but make sure that they do not demonstrate aggressive behavior. To be safe, limit one gecko per tank. At most, keep only one male and one female crested gecko in the same enclosure.
• A lot of crested geckos may end up losing their tails. To prevent this from happening, you should keep your pet in its own tank and make sure that it is pampered.
• If you will handle the crested gecko, keep it short and gentle. At most, hold the gecko for only about five minutes.

If you are interested in introducing an amphibian at home, a frog is one of the best choices to consider. While it may scare some people as it jumps in the wild, in captivity, it can make a lovable and distinct pet.

Should you decide you take care of a frog as a pet, the first thing that you have to do is to pick the right one. With this, if you are looking for frogs for sale near me, keep on reading and we’ll help you decide where to get one.

Frogs for Sale Near Me

How Much Does a Frog Cost

For sure, many people interested in taking care of a frog will initially be concerned about the cost of ownership. While you can find frogs in the wild and take care of it in a captive habitat, it is best to buy from a reliable pet store. This way, you can be assured that it is in its tip-top health condition.

There are different species of frogs, and this will have an impact on their price. Typically, the rare ones will be expensive. The average cost for common pet frogs will be only about $10 each. On the other hand, if you opt to take care of a rare breed, it can go as much as $90.

If you are looking for a cheap pet frog with minimal care requirements, two of the best choices are White Treefrog and African dwarf frog. If you are looking for exotic species, which can cost $60 to $70 on average, Black Auratus Dart frog and Red-Eyed Treefrog will be excellent picks.

Aside from the cost of the actual frog, however, you will also need to think of everything that you have to buy along with it, including those that will be mentioned in the last section of this guide. For instance, a pack of crickets will be approximately $17, which is already good for three months. A basic tank set-up with the required equipment can cost as much as $250.

How to Choose a Frog as a Pet

To make the right decision on which to choose from the countless species of frogs, this section briefly tackles some of the most important things to keep in mind.

• Legality: You have to consider the legality of frog ownership from where you are. Be familiar with the local laws. Especially if the frog is endangered, chances are, owning it can be illegal.
• Cost: As a beginner in frogs, you should start with one that is cheap. Once you have mastered the fundamentals, this is when you can move to rarer species.
• Care and Maintenance: Like what has been mentioned above, your first pet frog should require minimal effort for care and maintenance. This is especially true for busy individuals without the luxury of time to take care of their pet.
• Handleability: Basically, what this means is that you should choose one that is easy to handle. It should not be aggressive, and more importantly, the bite should not be poisonous. Otherwise, your life will be at risk.
• Noise: One of the most annoying things about frogs is that they can make a lot of noise, especially in the wild. In captivity, you should opt for one that stays quiet most the time so that it won’t end up being a disturbance.

Other Products to Buy from a Frog Pet Shop

It is not only the frog itself that can be bought from a pet shop. You can also buy other stuff, including those that are briefly mentioned below.

Tank

The enclosure should have the right size depending on the frog that will be housed inside. If you are taking care of active frog species, the tank should be big enough to allow freedom of movement, especially if you intend to house more than one frog.

#1 Exo-Terra All-Glass Terrarium

One of the best things about this product is the front window ventilation, a patented feature that provides excellent air circulation to the frogs. Because it is tall, this is for arboreal frogs or for those that love to climb. Be sure to decorate it as well with products that will mimic the natural environment of the frogs while providing them with means to climb and move around. There are also dual doors that are escape-proof, so you do not have to worry about chasing your pet when it accidentally escapes.

Food

The secret to maintaining a healthy frog is to provide it with a nutritious and varied diet. Especially in the case of the active frogs, they need to have live insects as a part of their daily diet. Among others, crickets are well-loved.

#2 Pac-Attack for Pacman Frogs

If you are looking for commercial food to incorporate into the diet of your pet frog, this can prove to be an exceptional choice. It exists in the form of pellets, but it has the texture of a real frog, which makes it easy to trick the pet. It also comes with a uniquely balanced formula to provide the dietary needs of your pet. To add, this is a favorite amongst frog pet owners because of the no-touch feeding. It is a sponge-like stick that can be fed directly to the frog without the need for touching.

Vitamins

Among others, one of the most important is for the frog to receive the right amount of calcium. Otherwise, it can suffer from an onslaught of health problems, including metabolic bone disease. To be effectively absorbed by the frog, the calcium supplement should also come with Vitamin D3. It is used in dusting their food rather than direct ingestion.

#3 Repashy Calcium Plus

The manufacturer markets this as their all-in-one calcium powder, making it a great addition to the diet of your pet frog. It has vitamins, trace minerals, and carotenoids. It can be used on its own for dusting the food of the frog and without the need for supplementation of any other vitamin. To use the powder properly, you have to put the insects in a bag, add the powder, shake lightly, and feed them to your pet frog.

Décor

Decorating the tank is necessary to allow it to mimic the conditions of the natural environment. Among others, it will help if you can add foliage and vines. The décor should also provide them with a hiding spot and a resting place. Choose decors that combine both form and function.

#4 Fluker’s Repta Vines-Pothos for Reptiles and Amphibians

This is not only a realistic décor, but it is also non-toxic, providing you with an assurance that it won’t end up poisoning your pet frog. The main material used is polyethylene, which is not only long lasting but also easy to clean. As a bonus, there are already suction cups that are included, making it easy for you to have it affixed in the tank. Add these vines to a terrarium if you want to recreate a forest-like environment that frogs will love.

Substrate

Another item that you can buy in a pet shop for your frog is the substrate, which will serve as the bedding for the tank. Among others, coconut substrate is the most popular, basically because it is affordable.

#5Reptile Prime Coconut Fiber Bedding

Whether you need to maintain a dry or damp environment, this will be an excellent choice for a terrarium bedding. The humidity retention is superior, making it easier to maintain the right environmental condition that your pet frog will love. It also has the ability to naturally absorb odor, preventing the enclosure from having a foul smell.

Wrap Up

If you go online and type “frogs for sale near me”, you will surely be confronted with a long list of alternatives. Nonetheless, you should not see this as an excuse to decide in haste. Rather, you need to be careful to have an assurance that you will have a healthy pet frog that does not require complicated care and maintenance.

The health of your pet frog will depend mostly on what it eats, making it important to give careful thought on its meal plan. Otherwise, it can suffer from a variety of health problems.

Frogs are carnivores, which means that they will eat small animals, such as crickets, snails, and worms. The size and species of the frog, among others, will have a direct impact on the specific choices of food to feed them.

What To Feed your Frog

In this section, we will have a round up of some of the best foods that can be given to a frog for it to stay in its tip-top health.

Crickets

Perhaps, this is the most popular food that is given to frogs. The good thing about crickets is that they can stay alive inside the enclosure for a long time. Plus, they are also affordable. Make sure to keep the crickets contained in the enclosure.

It is recommended that you feed the frog two to seven crickets per day, depending on the size or the species.

#1 Josh’s Frogs ¼-inch Banded Crickets (120 Count)

As the company claims, banded crickets are easy to keep alive compared to other cricket species, making it a great addition to the diet of your pet frog. It also has more protein. These crickets are fed food specially formulated for their needs, providing an assurance that it is packed with the nutrients that the frog will need. With this product, your money will not go into waste as the manufacturer guarantees the live arrival right in front of your doorsteps! Even at a temperature that is as low as 0-degree Fahrenheit, the crickets will be live when they are received.

#2 Fluker’s Freeze-Dried Crickets

While live prey will be great for feeding frogs, freeze-dried crickets will also work. The good thing about this food is that it is already gut-loaded, making sure that it contains the nutrition that the frog needs. It is naturally high in calcium. This is as against live crickets that you will still need to sprinkle with a Vitamin D3 or calcium supplement. It contains protein, fat, and fiber to guarantee a diverse and balanced diet. Nonetheless, you have to make sure that you feed your cricket with other foods as well.

#3 Exo Terra Cricket Pen

Take note that unlike the first two products that have been mentioned above, this is not a cricket to be fed directly to your pet frog. Rather, it is a handy tool that you will use when dispensing live crickets. It is constructed in such a way that crickets will love, especially because it is a dark space with a cover. This is a good way to direct the crickets to the frog basically because it is not recommended that you handle the frog when it is being fed since this can be mistaken as a threat and the frog might become aggressive.

Mealworms

They are brown worm-like larvae that are popular as pet food, especially for reptiles and amphibians.

When feeding mealworms, it should be given in small quantities. This is because they are high in starch, and hence, too much of it will make your pet suffer from liver damage.

#4 Bassett’s Cricket Ranch 1,100-count Live Mealworms

These mealworms are medium-sized at ¾-inch. According to most of the people who have bought this item, the mealworms are fat and nutritious, making them great feeders. The manufacturer guarantees its live shipment, providing pet owners with an assurance that they remain fresh even through transit. When they are shipped, they are packaged in breathable cloth bags. If they are not live when received, just get in touch with the seller and they will issue an unconditional refund or replacement.

#5 Picky Neb 100% Non-GMO Dried Mealworms

It is important to be picky when it comes to what you feed your frog, which makes this another option that is worth considering. It is non-GMO and as pure as it can be. It has no preservatives and additives, which can provide you with peace of mind. When fed to frogs, the dried mealworms will be effective in giving their immune system a boost and in promoting their overall health. Ease of handling is another good thing about this product, making it a better option compared to live mealworms. There is no refrigeration required.

Waxworms

The waxworms will be a great addition to the diet of your frog basically because it is a potent source of lipids, which will help in fattening up your pet.

However, it should be noted that waxworms are junk foods for the frog, which is why they should be given sparingly. Giving too much to your pet can make them obese.

#6 Live Waxworms for Feeding Reptiles

Although there were some negative feedbacks from the buyers of this product, the consensus is that it will make a great choice if you are looking for waxworms to feed frogs. There were some complaints with regards to having an unpleasant smell. To prevent the latter, you have to pay attention to its proper storage to prevent having dead worms, which can be the cause of the foul smell.

#7 Josh’s Frog Waxworms

Fatten up your frogs by giving them these waxworms, which are shipped live. They are shipped only Mondays to Thursdays. The company also guarantees that there will be fast shipping to prevent the worms from dying while they are in transit. It is recommended that you keep the waxworms at a temperature of 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit to keep them fresh for an extended period. Lastly, the seller also guarantees that you will receive them live.

Pellets and Micro-pellets

If you have an aquatic frog or a tadpole, you will benefit from giving them pellets and micro-pellets. All that you have to do is to throw them in the aquarium and let the frogs enjoy a feast.

#8 Zoo Med Aquatic Frog and Tadpole Food

Packaged in a two-ounce container, this is made by one of the most trusted brands of pet foods in the world. It is high in protein, making it an excellent addition to the diet of all types of aquatic frogs and tadpoles. It also has fat, fiber, ash, moisture, and phosphorus. The pellets are specially formulated to provide the vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the longevity of the frog. To be more specific, the micro-pellets contain Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, potassium, copper, zinc, and manganese, among others.

#9 Omega One Frog and Tadpole Pellets

The pellets contain Vitamin A, Vitamin D3, and calcium, all of which are essential for keeping the frogs in their best state of health. It will help prevent diseases that are common when the frogs are not supplemented with the vitamins and minerals that they need. It is also low in fiber, which will be beneficial in terms of improving digestion. These pellets are made with the use of nothing but fresh ingredients, which include halibut and salmon. There are no fillers, so you can be confident of its purity. As recommended by the manufacturer, you have to feed the frog with three to four pellets daily. Individual requirements will vary depending on the type of the frog you keep.

What Not to Feed Frogs

As a responsible pet owner, you should know that you cannot feed your frog with just almost anything. You need to do your research to be sure that it receives only the right food. Take note that they can be easily prone to obesity, so they should also be fed in moderation.

Because frogs are carnivores, you should never provide them with fruits and vegetables. While you might think that they are healthy for humans, it is a different story in the case of frogs.

You should also never feed the frogs with insects that have been caught in the wild. They can contain insecticides that can be toxic when they are ingested.

While live prey will be a great addition to the diet of your frog, see to it that it is appropriate for their size. If it is too large, they will not just have a hard time eating and digesting the food, but it can also end up biting them.

Frogs and their Diet: FAQs

Before we end this post, allow us to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about frogs and their diet to enlighten novice pet owners.

How Big Can a Frog Get?

This will depend on the species of the frog as well as its diet. If you feed the frog with the right foods, it is easy for it to grow bigger, although such is not the only thing that impacts its growth.

The largest frog is known as the Goliath Frog, which can have a maximum length of 13.5 inches and a weight of 6.6 pounds. The smallest, on the other hand, is the gold frog, which has a length of only .39 inch and a weight of 7 ounces.

How Often Should You Feed a Frog?

One of the things that will dictate this would be the age of the frog. When it is still young, you have to feed it every day. When the frog is an adult, however, feeding can be done only several times a week.

What is the Best Way to Feed a Frog?

One thing that you have to know about frogs is that they hate being handled. This can make them aggressive since they feel threatened. It will be good to have a small dish where the food can be placed or feed it straight into their mouth.

Do Frogs Need Vitamins and Supplements?

Like with other insects, you need to provide vitamins and minerals to the frog. Different species may have varying needs, so you have to find out what is essential for your pet.

Among others, one of the most important is Vitamin A. It cannot be produced by the body of the frog on its own, which makes supplementation important. With this, you should gut-load live insects with Vitamin A before they are fed to your pet.

What Do Frogs Drink?

Taking care of your frog necessitates not only the need to provide food but also water. They should be given fresh and dechlorinated water. While you can give tap water, it needs to be treated so that the chlorine will be removed.

However, take note that frogs do not directly drink water like humans. Rather, it is absorbed through a process that is called osmosis. On their abdomen, they have a patch of skin that allows them to absorb water. With this, the best way to keep the frog hydrated is to mist their enclosure.

Wrap Up

In sum, frogs need to have the right diet to be able to maintain their best state of health. Otherwise, they will be prone to a number of health problems. It is important to not only give them the right food but to also make sure that these foods are given in moderation.