Budgett’s Frogs quickly gained popularity as a entertaining pet amphibian.
This unique frog has a funny head that is half the size their body.
This species is a internet celebrity because of their fun personalities and attractive appearance.
Budgett’s Frogs are popular, but they can be difficult for new keepers. They require both aquatic and terrestrial habitats so they are best suited for experienced keepers.
This amphibian can be a great companion for many years if it is well cared for. Keep reading if you are up to the challenge. You can learn more about their care, habitat, and diet.
Budgett’s Frog Overview
Budgett’s Frogs are large, pinkish-gray frogs. They are a large, flat-bodied frog with a mouth that occupies almost a third of their body.
Budgett’s Frog ( Lepidobatrachus Levis was first described by John Samuel Budgett, an English zoologist. Budgett, who was going to Argentina to find lungfish, discovered this frog instead. This species is quite common in South America, such as Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia.
This species belongs to the Ceratophryidae Family. This family includes the Pacman frog.
This species, unlike terrestrial frogs, needs plenty of water to perform their natural behaviors. Their habitat should be similar to the dry and wet seasons they are used too. The water should be deep enough to allow them to swim in half of their tank.
These amphibians are often found in water, with their eyes closed and only their nostrils open. These amphibians are known for their pinkish-gray coloring and their stoic behavior.
They are well-known for their defensive behavior.
They will stand taller if they are held in a corner. They may scream, hiss or squeak if they are trapped. They will also lunge to bite if all else fails. They have two fangs and large, tooth-like ridges in their jaws that can be painful.
This frog also displays dormancy, which is a fascinating behavior. estivation).
They go into dormancy during winter ( usually between November and February). It is usually the dry season in their natural habitat during this time.
This was 100 years after Budgett first described the frogs. Private breeders started a captive breeding program in the early 2000s.
Budgett’s frogs have been known to be active amphibians and intelligent with bold and curious personalities.
For experienced keepers, they are an amphibian that is easy to look at but not touch. The White’s Tree Frog is a good choice if you are looking to handle a frog.
Budgett’s Frogs: What We Love About Them
This species is rapidly gaining popularity. Raising them is difficult due to the cannibalistic nature of their tadpoles. Many keepers purchase them as adults or juveniles because of their cannibalistic tendencies.
A healthy frog should have clear skin, a full physique and a strong feeding response. You should also look for strong swimmers or powerful jumpers.
Pros
- Intelligent and active throughout the year.
- A large size and a funny appearance.
- Captives are happy to enjoy a variety of foods.
Cons
- It requires both a terrestrial and an aquatic habitat.
- Don’t like to be held and will bite.
- Each year, a minimum of three months must pass before the plant can be used again.
Species Appearance
The Budgett’s Frog, a large amphibian, can grow up to six inches.
Their head is almost half of their body!
This frog can be seen from a bird’s eye view. They are flat, with small round eyes. Their nostrils sit high up on their heads.
The bright green spots that frogs have over their eyes when they are young often fade as they age.
Adults look uniformly greenish brown, grayish pink or greyish pink with a yellow belly and eyes. A yellow stripe runs across the lips of most people. Some people may have darker green or yellow mottling along their backs and legs.
They have smooth skin that is free from the bumps that are common to other frogs. Their skin is usually covered in mucus, which helps preserve moisture.
Males are easily identified by their small size and dark throat pouch. During breeding season, their dark throat pouches are most noticeable.
Budgett’s Frog Size
After metamorphosis, young frogs typically measure 1.5 inches in length.
Budgett’s Frogs reach their adult size of four to five inches within less than a year.
Although their short legs make them appear larger than they actually are, they are still not as large as the Pacman frog.
Males tend to be larger than females. Females can grow up to five inches, but the most powerful individuals can grow up to six inches. The average male is around four inches.
The frogs can be quite heavy and they weigh about half a pound when fully grown.
Budgett’s Frog Care
This species requires high-level care and a complicated tank setup. These amphibians are not recommended for beginners. This amphibian is best for those who have previous experience with keeping frogs.
Guide to Diet and Feeding
This frog is a fierce carnivore that eats crickets, cockroaches, earthworms and mealworms.
Budgett’s Frogs are carnivorous.
They are also very unique as they are carnivorous tadpoles . They will also eat the larvae from other frogs, as tadpoles.
Adults will eat anything that fits in their mouths. Their large mouths and strong jaws, which are stronger than those of other frog families, explain this.
These frogs are ambush hunters. They wait in water or mud for their prey. They eat small mammals, insects, fish, worms and other frogs in the wild.
Best to Feed them Insects when they are kept as pets.
- It is easier to store, find and feed insects than mice or snakes.
- You don’t have to worry about your pet being bitten by an insect.
- It allows you to easily monitor your pet’s diet and keep them nourished.
All of these are excellent choices for meals, including crickets, earthworms and hornworms as well as guppy fish. Frogs caught wild should not be fed as they can carry harmful parasites and pesticides.
Young frogs need to be fed four to five meals per week. The amount they can consume in 15 minutes should determine their portion sizes. As they get older, you can reduce the frequency of feeding to once a week and give them larger meals (e.g. 5-6 large crickets
Every other time you feed insects, dust them with a vitamin-D3 supplement.
Don’t try to hand-feed your pet frog. Budgett’s will eat more than the prey and bite you.
Frogs shouldn’t be fed on loose substrate. It can be accidentally eaten by frogs, leading to impaction, which could lead to fatal intestinal obstruction.
The Lifespan and Health Concerns
They’re ery hardy frogs & have very few health problems besides those that arise from poor husbandry.
Budgett’s Frogs can live 20 years if they are taken care of properly.
They are sensitive to pesticides and chemicals, just like many frogs. They are also vulnerable to fungal infections, obesity, and other diseases.
Low humidity, low airflow, and poor hygiene are all common causes of fungal infections. These infections can cause flaky or white patches on the skin. The fungus Chytridiomycosis, which is deadly and widespread in captive frogs, is increasing in prevalence.
Another common problem is obesity.
Wild frogs are rarely obese. Pet species, however, have a reliable and consistent supply of food. Even after being full, they will continue to eat. You should be aware of their body to keep them at a healthy weight.
Budgett’s frogs need to be longer than their width. If a frog develops creases on its legs, it is likely to be obese. You can reduce the amount of food until an adult gains weight.
They Are Healthy
- Smooth skin.
- A strong appetite and feeding response.
- Moving between land and water is common.
- Active defense response.
Sickness Symptoms
- Closed eyes, or limbs held tightly to the body.
- Refusal of eating.
- All your time on land or in the water.
- Not passing regular feces.
Habitat
Gran Chaco is home to Budgett’s Frogs.
Gran Chaco is a large, flat area of dry scrubland forests in South America. It experiences seasonal flooding and dry periods.
Budgett’s Frogs can be found in the vicinity of water sources during the rainy season. These pools are used by the frogs to spawn and hunt. To emerge as young frogs, their tadpoles need to grow fast.
This species experiences a period in dormancy during the dry winter months. They can burrow into the mud to form a water-retaining cocoon on their skin.
Captive animals will need to reproduce both wet and dry cycles.
Budgett’s Frog Setup
Adults love to live in a 30-gallon tank measuring 30″x12’x12″. They should not be kept with other frogs due to their cannibalistic nature.
Ideal is a glass or plastic enclosure that has a front-opening design. This will preserve moisture and make it easy to access their regular food.
- Tank Type – glass.
- Tank Size : 30 Gallon
- Lighting: none.
- Substrate : A mix of coconut fiber and organic potting soil.
The tank should contain enough water for half the frogs to swim in. To maintain the water temperature at 76-82 degrees F, you will need an aquarium heater. You must ensure that the heater is secured to your tank. It cannot be tripped by a swimming frog.
To allow your frog easy access both to the dry and wet parts of the tank, you can create a sloped area of stones or clear plexiglass.
These frogs are primarily night-owls and do not need any extra lighting.
Temperatures should not exceed 77 degrees F. Temperatures higher than 80 degrees F can cause death. The tank should be kept at 77 degrees F by keeping it in a warm place. Two digital thermometers are sufficient to accurately measure the surface temperature.
Avoid using heaters under tanks as they can cause burns to your frogs if the frog burrows too low.
Budgett’s Frogs like high humidity, around 60 to 70%.
You should use organic potting soil or coconut fiber substrate to maintain humidity. You will need to provide food for your frogs if you use loose substrate. This will prevent impaction.
Include lots of PVC pipe, ceramic pots and shoeboxes. These will provide your frog with many hiding places. They should be thoroughly washed and free of harmful chemicals and sharp edges.
Behavior of Species
This frog is known to swim, dig & burrow.
The season determines the frog’s behavior.
These frogs gather around the temporal pools during the rainy season to breed. To attract females, males will croak loudly.
These frogs will attack and eat one another for the remainder of the year.
They will instantly show aggression if they are threatened . They will inflate their bodies, stand on their legs and stand tall. They will yell at you if they are touched. They will bite if you keep harassing them. These frogs will bite you if you continue to harass them.
This species is dangerous because of their aggressive nature, sharp fangs, and strong jaw. Although a bite can be painful and draw blood, it is not poisonous. You can coax your frog into moving in a container.
Budgett’s Frogs prefer to spend their time in the water, with only their eyes open.
They can move about the enclosure quite a bit as active amphibians. It is important to ensure that there aren’t any heavy decorations that could trap or fall on your frog.
Your frog will enter dormancy during winter. It will dig beneath the substrate to create a cocoon of skin.
Frogs in captivity can be encouraged to go dormant by lowering the temperature. You should increase the frequency of your feedings for two weeks, while lowering the temperature. This will allow your frog to build up its fat reserves. After two weeks stop feeding. After a few days, your frog will begin to estivate and should not be disturbed. Two to three months of dormancy is normal.
Budgett’s Frog Facts
| Species Facts | |
|---|---|
| Other common names | Hippo Frog, Freddy Krueger Frog |
| Scientific Name | Lepidobatrachus Laevis |
| Family Name | Ceratophryidae |
| Genus Name | Lepidobatrachus |
| Range | Bolivia, Paraguay and Argentina |
| Size | 4 to 5 inches |
| Lifespan | 15 to 20 Years |
| Popular Alternatives | Tomato Frog & Pacman Frog |
Care Guide Summary
The Budgett’s Frog, an uncommon and memorable species, is rapidly becoming a favorite pet. This amphibian is more entertaining because of its intelligence and activity.
The habitat of the frog requires both aquatic and terrestrial spaces to replicate its natural environment. They go into dormancy during the winter, which can last several months. It can be difficult for new pet owners to maintain their pets’ weight and prevent them from going into dormancy.
They should be cared for by people who are confident in their abilities to care for exotic species.
Your Budgett’s Frog will live for more than 15 years if you give it the best care.
Let’s know if we can help you keep this species alive.
 Budgett’s Frog Care Sheet){kind=link}