AMERICAN BULLFROG CARE SHEET Lithobates catesbeianus
PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: Catching American Bullfrogs is a memory almost every kid growing up in the Eastern United States has. Though they are very interesting frogs, it is best to keep them in their native environment outdoors. This care sheet is for injured American Bullfrogs who are not able to return to the wild or captive breed frogs.
DIFFICULTY: Intermediate
LIFE SPAN: 7-10 years
ACTIVITY: American Bullfrogs are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night. From dusk to dawn in May through July, you will hear their classic mating call, “Bud-a-rum”. At night, these frogs also hunt, soak, and hop about.
ENCLOSURE: American Bullfrogs can grow to be at 8 inches long meaning they need lots of space! Coconut fiber substrate makes a perfect bedding. 6-8 inches (15-20cm) of substrate provides the proper space for burrowing. Logs, huts, and live plants give a natural feel and allow your frog to feel safe and comfortable. Provide at least three different places large enough for your bullfrog to hide in. A very large water feature is necessary. A simple paludarium makes a perfect environment for American Bullfrogs. 1/4 to 1/2 of the tank should consist of a water feature. Large rocks create a realistic feel to your small pond. Flat rocks can line the bottom, as rocks create a slope out of the water. Water plants like Hornwort make great aquatic hiding spots along with driftwood. The water level should just be under your substrate level (6-8 inches, 15 cm -20cm). A Tetrafauna ReptoFilter will keep your water nice and fresh. For a more natural filter, I highly recommend a Tetra® Decorative ReptoFilter Terrarium Filter. I have had mine for over 8 years and it still runs beautifully. Replace your filter cartridge every 6 months, and rinse once monthly. An acrylic divider can be inserted to form a watertight seal between your land portion and aquatic portion. You may also use Josh’s Frogs Pond Wall foam. For more details on installation, click the button below. If using tap water, water conditioner must be used. This removes harmful chemicals and makes the water safe for your amphibian. Directions vary so be sure to read the label before using.
SIZE OF ENCLOSURE: For young American Bullfrogs, a 40-gallon breeder (36″ x 18″ x 16″, 91.44cm x 45.72″ x 40.64″) is perfect. Once your bullfrog begins to mature, a 55 gallon (48″ x 13″ x 21″, 121.92cm x 33.02″ x 53.34″) or larger is great. These frogs require lots of space to jump around in. If not given proper space, they will damage their noses by hitting it against the glass in an attempt to jump.
WATER TEMPERATURE: American Bullfrogs do well in room temperature water 65-75 degrees F (18-24 degrees C). I have personally observed that bullfrogs appreciate a heat source the mimics the sun’s warmth. Placing a low wattage heat bulb over a rock basking area near the pond gives them a basking spot. A perfect bulb is Zoo Med’s Daylight Blue 40w Bulb. Setting this bulb on a timer for 6-8 hours a day provides a natural schedule for your frog in terms of light, heat, and water temperature.
HUMIDITY: 70-80%
TEMPERATURE: Daytime temperatures should be 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit or 24 to 29 degrees Celsius.
Nighttime temperatures should never drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit or 18 degrees Celsius.
LIGHTING: American Bullfrogs are primarily nocturnal. Despite this, visible light must be provided for 12 hours daily to maintain your frogs natural circadian rhythm. 12-13 hour light cycles mimic summer conditions and can prevent brumation. Shorter light cycles of 8-10 hours mimic winter months which can result in symptoms like hunger strikes. A full spectrum grow light is best to sustain plant growth within your enclosure.
A heat lamp is never necessary unless temperatures drop below 65° F. A low wattage heat emitter set on a timer may be used in winter months. Unnecessary heat can result in drying of the enclosure, which may be fatal to amphibians.
UVB lighting is an essential aspect to the wellbeing of certain captive reptiles and amphibians. However, the quantity of which each species requires has not been heavily researched. Exposure to UVB allows for the synthesis of vitamin D3 within their skin. An essential micronutrient needed to metabolize calcium for healthy bone development, muscle function, immune function, and overall growth. Vitamin D may also be obtained through diet. It is dependent on the species whether diet supplementation of D3 can sustain proper vitamin D values. Too great of UVB exposure can have negative effects including but not limited to ocular damage and cancer. There is currently no research that specifies whether American Bullfrogs benefit from UVB lighting more than diet supplementation. Due to this lack of information, a safer route of providing your frog with Vitamin D would be through the diet. Continue reading to the “supplement” section for more important information on calcium and vitamin D3.
FEEDING: American Bullfrogs will eat anything that can fit into their mouth. This includes smaller tank mates. American Bullfrogs must be housed with bullfrogs of similar size.
Adults can be feed Mice, Pinkies, Comets, Rosies, feeder Goldfish, Earthworms, Dubia Roaches, and crickets. A pinkie and appropriately sized mouse can be feed once a week. Comets, Rosies, and feeder Goldfish should be feed 2-3 times a week in quantities of 3. Small items should be feed every other day in quantities of 10-15. A diverse diet improves your frog’s diet. An example of a balanced is as follows: Monday: 1 pinkie, Wednesday: 7 crickets and 3 Earthworms, Friday: 2 Comets, Sunday: Small snack of Crickets. Calcium dusting your Crickets and Dubia Roaches every other feeding helps boost your bullfrogs’ health as well!
SUPPLEMENTS: A vital aspect of maintaining your amphibian’s health in captivity is supplementing their diet with powdered vitamins and minerals. Meeting proper habitat requirements alone will not provide essential nutrients for them to thrive.
Powdered supplements should be dusted onto your amphibian’s meal at every feeding. Calcium is the most important nutrient amphibians receive primarily from the supplements you place on their food. It helps ensure proper bone growth and density, muscle and nerve function, and overall metabolic function. Herptiles without proper calcium levels can develop nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism (NSHP) or more commonly known as metabolic bone disease (MBD). NSHP is a specific kind of MBD commonly seen in captive reptiles and amphibians. Here the parathyroid glands overcompensate for the lack of calcium, ultimately resulting in bone weakening as the body essentially “steals” calcium from the bones.
Thankfully with a proper diet, NSHP can be avoided altogether. Powdered Calcium supplements are commonly sold in two forms, with D3 and without D3. Amphibians kept with UVB should be given calcium without D3 to avoid possible overdosing of the vitamin. Research has found that naturally produced D3 in the body is safer and more effective than orally supplemented D3. However, for the reasons listed in the “lighting” section, amphibian owners have the best success with oral supplements with products available currently.
In addition to calcium with D3; vitamin A, and multivitamins should be given periodically.
What size fish or mice do I get for my American Bullfrog? A general rule for feeding Reptiles and Amphibians is, the food in question’s girth should fit in between the animal’s eyes.
HOW TO SEX: Female American Bullfrogs are larger than males, and have cream colored throats.
While males have a more narrow face, are overall smaller, and have a yellow colored throat. From late May to July, males will call for females from dusk to dawn.
SIZE: As explained above, American Bullfrogs vary in size based on sex. An estimate length for an adult American Bullfrog is 6-8 inches (15-20cm). The largest can weigh up to 1.5 pounds (0.7kg)
I AM NEW TO FROGS, ARE THEY GOOD FOR BEGINNERS?
These frogs are not good for beginners in captive care. However, if you are looking to have your own frog pond in your yard, welcoming these frogs is easy!