Amphibian Pets: Frogs Small Animal Management (c)(4)(A)

Amphibian Pets: FrogsAmphibian Pets: Frogs

Small Animal ManagementSmall Animal Management(c)(4)(A)(c)(4)(A)

Amphibians The word amphibian means two-lives.

All amphibians begin their life in water with gills and tails. As they grow, they develop lungs and legs for their life on land.

Amphibians are cold-blooded, which means that they are the same temperature as the air or water around them.

FrogsThere are more than 4,000 different kinds of amphibians. Members of this animal class are frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and

caecilians or blindworms from 3 different ordersAnurans (frogs and toads)Urodelans (salamanders and newts)Caecilians (legless amphibians)

Anurans are most numerous and widespreadFrogs belong to the Order Anura, the largest of the three groups of amphibians.

FrogsPlay an important role in nature as both predator and prey, sustaining the delicate balance of nature.

They eat pest insects, benefiting successful agriculture around the world and minimizing the spread of disease, including malaria.

The skin of amphibians has substances that protect them from some microbes and viruses, offering possible medical cures for a variety of human diseases, including AIDS.

Frogs have had a special place in various human cultures for centuries, cherished as agents of life and good luck.

Bullfrogs◦ Dark green and often have dark gray

mottling (splotches) on their back legs.◦ American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

◦ Native to central and eastern United States◦ May exceed 6 inches long

◦ African bullfrog (Pysicephalus adspersus)◦ May exceed 9 inches long◦ Aggressive

◦ Life span to 35 or more years

Poison Dart Frogs

◦ Named from South American hunters rubbing darts on frog skin to kill game

◦ Small, brightly colored rainforest frog

◦ Captive-born frogs do not product poison

◦ Size ranges from 0.75 to 1.5 inches

◦ Life span of 3 to 5 years

African Clawed Frogs◦ Its name is derived from the three

short claws on each hind foot, which it uses to tear apart its food.

◦ Common pet◦ 5 to 6 inches◦ Lives up to 15 years◦ Strictly aquatic

Tree Frogs◦ Over 800 species◦ Not all tree frogs live in trees. Rather, the feature that unites them has to do

with their feet—the last bone in their toes (called the terminal phalanx) is shaped like a claw.

◦ Found in North, South, and Central America◦ Also in Central Asia and Europe

◦ Primarily nocturnal◦ Light cycles can be modified for companionship

◦ Brightly colorful

South American Horned Frogs

◦ Large, fat frogs, often very colorful; usually green with dark red to black markings along their back

◦ Up to 5.5 inches◦ Often called "PacMan" frogs◦ Life span 6 to 8 years◦ Named for skin folds over eyes

Fire-bellied Toads

◦ Southern Asia◦ Great pet for a first timer◦ Characteristic "warty" skin◦ Bright colors warn predators of

toxins produced◦ Approximately 2 inches long◦ Life span of 10 to 15 years

Leopard frogs◦ Commonly used as a dissection specimen◦ Once a very common frog; pollution,

deforestation, and water acidity have caused great decline in the population of this species.

◦ 3-5 inches long◦ Life span 5 to 8 years◦ Leopard frogs will eat just about anything they

can fit in their mouths. They sit still and wait for prey to happen by, then pounce with their powerful legs.

Toads◦ The American Toad is probably the

amphibian most often seen by people in our area.

◦ Up to 4 1/2 inches long. Full-grown adults are usually chubby.

◦ All of them have warts◦ Both male and female toads have a

spotted belly, but the male has a darker throat.

◦ Cannot jump far as frogs◦ Produce digitalis toxin◦ Life span 15 to 20 years

Biology and BehaviorAnurans have smooth, glandular skin

◦ Rely on skin for respiration and fluid absorption

Skin glandsIn the skin are mucous glands which make the slimy fluid that covers the body. The

sliminess makes the frog difficult to catch and keeps the skin moist. In the toad, a special group of glands behind the eyes produces an unpleasant poisonous substance that may serve as protection against enemies.

Its eyes protrude in such a way that they are above water when the rest of the body is immersed and the entire eyeball can be withdrawn farther into the head by muscles.

Nostrils are situated so that air can be breathed while the frog is swimming at the surface and can also close.

Biology and Behavior Frogs

Undergo metamorphosisBegin life as tadpole

Breathe through gillsNo limbsTail

Changes at metamorphosisGills become lungsLimbs growTail resorbed

May be aquatic, semiaquatic, or terrestrial

HusbandryEnclosure

Terrariums should be glass as it assists in heat and humidity retentionTree frogs need vertical heightTerrestrial species need horizontal spaceFrogs and tadpoles are sensitive to water toxins-all water must be treated to

remove chlorine

Husbandry Cleaning

◦ Frogs are sensitive to chemicals, many cleaning agents are toxic◦ Flush with clean water◦ Soap should never be used◦ Phenolic compounds are highly toxic to reptile and amphibian pets

Husbandry Light

Artificial lighting, which should fit into the canopy of the terrarium. Many kinds of frog require some ultraviolet-B (UVB) light, in addition to regular light.

Husbandry FeedingMost frogs are carnivores that eat their food while it is still alive.

Crickets, various types of worms, caterpillars, moths, meal worms and fly larvae are all standard fare. Some of the larger frogs also eat mice, other frogs, and fish.

For most species of frog, if it’s alive and fits in their mouth they will eat it.

ProductionMating

When Frogs mate, the male frog tends to clasp the female underneath in an embrace called amplexus.

He climbs on her back, reaches his arms around her waist during amplexus which can last several days.

Usually, it occurs in the water, though some species, will mate on land or trees.

Reproduction http://allaboutfrogs.org/weird/general/cycle.html

Common Diseases Redleg

◦ Associated with bacterial infections◦ More of a symptom than a disease◦ Ventrum becomes red from vasculitis◦ Can have several causes

Bacterial infections◦ Most precipitated by stress, temperature, or poor husbandry◦ Gram-negative organisms most likely culprits◦ Antibiotics may treat infection, but cause should also be addressed

Common Diseases Parasites

◦ Protozoa◦ Trematodes◦ Cestodes◦ Nematodes◦ Pseudocapillaroides xenopi

◦ Worms burrow under frog skin◦ Roughened, pitted appearance◦ Can be treated with ivermectin

Common Diseases Mycobacteriosis

◦ Bacterial infection◦ Mycobacterium xenopi, M. Fortuitum, M. lifladii, M. marinum

◦ Can result from immunosuppression of frogs◦ Difficult to treat; often euthanize infected frog◦ Symptoms include:

◦ Emaciation◦ Pneumonia◦ Nodules on skin and internal organs

Common Diseases Fungi

◦ Chytrid fungi major causes of worldwide amphibian decline◦ Batrachiochytrid dendrobatidis

◦ Isolated from captive poison dart frogs◦ Cause break in epithelium◦ Treatable with itraconazole and miconazole

◦ Saprolegnia spp water mold◦ Infects aquatic frogs◦ Forms at site of preexisting wound◦ Can be treated with salt water bath or benzakonium chloride

Common Diseases Lucke tumor herpesvirus

◦ Viral disease in leopard frogs◦ Causes kidney tumors in cool winter months◦ No known treatment

Chlamydophila psittaci◦ When swallowed, colonizes internal organs of African clawed frogs◦ Treated with doxycycline◦ Zoonotic

Ribbit?Frogs make vocalizations, or calls, by forcing air through their larynx.

Such vocalizations usually function as mating calls.

Males often call together in a loud chorus.

The Goliath frog can grow to lengths of 13 inches and can weigh as much as 8 lb.

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© Texas Education Agency, 2014

Author: Jennifer Jackson