How to Care for Northern Leopard Frogs
| The Northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) make good pets for beginners. They are semi-aquatic, have a life span from 5-8 years, and grow to approximately 3 inches (7-8 cm).
This particular species needs a good size tank – about 10 gallons per frog, and the bigger the floor space, the better. Ideally, the floor space should consist of 1/2 land and 1/2 water. The soil, a mixture of dirt and peat moss, needs be around 2" – 3" for burrowing while gravel (smooth and large) is good for the water. The tank should have plants (live or silk) and small pieces of wood for climbing and hiding. The water should be dechlorinated and no filter apparatus is needed. Because of this, the water should be changed about twice a week. The tank can easily be kept at room temperature of about 68 – 75o F (20 – 24C) and if possible, drop the temperature down to 60oF (16C) at night. The Northern leopard frogs should be fed a variety of invertebrates including crickets, waxworms and earthworms among other varieties. The food items should be gut-loaded meaning the prey should be fed a nutritious diet before feeding them to the frog. Crickets should be dusted with reptile vitamin mix once a week. Since the Northern leopard frogs hibernate, they will slow down and stop eating for about 3 months during the winter. It would be ideal if the tank can be cooled down to about 37 – 39oF (3 – 4C) during hibernation. |