Have you ever considered keeping a pet frog? You should! Frogs make for a great pet because they are relatively low maintenance and rather cost-effective. Many people would like to become frog owners but down know the kind of expenses that come with it. So, having this question I did some research and then wrote it down to share the information with all of you.
So, how much do frogs cost? Normally a common frog will cost about 10 dollars. The more rare frogs can cost up to 90 dollars up front (without a terrarium, food, bedding). The total price of buying a pet frog will usually be around 250 dollars.
250 dollars seems like a big investment, but broken down it is very affordable and worth it. Knowing the price when you first buy a pet frog is great, but frogs live for quite a while so it is also great to know the expenses of a pet frog can be long term.
In this article, you’ll find more information about the cost of buying a pet frog for the first time, what they cost in the long term and what types of frogs you can own.
How much do frogs cost by species?
First, we need to know which frogs make good pets. Listed below are five frogs that make great pets and are also easy for a beginner. I will also tell you how much it will cost to own such a frog.
You Can Buy them from Petco
Frogs & Toads Available in Stores from $3.99 to $39.99
They are also available on Petsmart
Frogs & Toads Available in Stores from $3.99 to $29.99
African Dwarf Frog (Hymenochirus boettgeri)
African Dwarf frogs make great pets! They are the only aquatic frog on this list. Although there are more aquatic species around, I found that none of them are so easy to care for as the African Dwarf Frog. This frog is very popular on the market and as such are relatively easy to find.
When purchasing an African Dwarf frog, you would generally have to pay only $3.99
Buy African Dwarf frog at Petsmart
Red-Belly Toad (Bombina bombina)
The Red-Belly toads tend to be known as the second best beginners pet frog. The Red-Belly toad makes such a great pet because it is easy to care for and it also requires almost no space. A 10-gallon critter cage will be enough by far.
They usually cost a little bit more than African Dwarf frogs, and their prices lay around 15 dollars.
Pacman Frog (Ceratophrys cranwelli )
Pacman frogs are so cute! They make for the most adorable pet snakes (my opinion of course!) They look amazing, its fun to watch them eat but above all, they are super easy to care for.
Pacman Frogs spend most of their time burrowed into the substrate, so you won’t see them moving around very often. But when you do get to observe them, it is all worth it!
When purchasing a Pacman frog, you would generally have to pay around 15-25 dollars
Buy Pacman Frog $15.99 from Petco You can also buy pacman from Petsmart But some may cost as high as 65$
American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus )
The American Toad has to be one of the easiest to take care of. They eat almost anything you put in front of them and require very little space (a 10-gallon terrarium would be more than enough). That is why the American toad is one of the best frogs for beginners.
When purchasing an American toad, you would typically have to pay around 12 to 15 dollars.
But, I have to mention that you won’t find many stores to buy them from. See, in many states, it is illegal to breed or sell native species (that is also why it is almost always easier to find exotic species).
If you want an American toad, your best chance is to get it as a tadpole/froglet. So, take a venture into the wild and collect your tadpole!
Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolor )
I have spent some time debating with my friends whether or not to put this frog on the list. Because they are somewhat easy to take care of, but they are a bit more complicated than the average toad.
Also, when I consider a frog “easy,” I look at how much time it costs to maintain them and how delicate they are.
The Gray Tree frog is fairly hardy, and besides that, the Gray Tree frog is a beautiful tree frog for beginners.
To buy a Gray tree frog, you would normally have to pay around 10 dollars.
You can buy White and Gray Tree frogs from $29.99 from Petsmart
Price Chart of Some Popular Frogs & Toads
| Common name | Scientific name | Approx Cost in USD |
| Gray Tree Frog | Hyla Versicolor | $25-$30 |
| American Toad | Anaxyrus americanus | $12-$15 |
| PacMan Frog | Ceratophrys cranwelli | $15-$65 |
| Red-Belly Toad | Bombina bombina | $15 |
| African Dwarf Frog | Hymenochirus boettgeri | $4-$5 |
| Green Tree Frog | Hyla cinerea | $10-$15 |
| Arrow Dart Frog | Dendrobates Sp. | $30-$70 |
| Red-eyed Tree Frog | Agalychnis callidryas | $40-$200 |
| Tomato Frog | Dyscophus guineti | $20-$50 |
| Yellow-banded Poison Dart Frog | Dendrobatidae | Up to $2000 |
How much do terrariums cost and how do you tell which ones are good?
Now that we have gone over which frogs are the easiest to care for and how much they cost, it is essential to know about how much a good terrarium costs and where you can find good ones.
For most frogs, it is relatively easy to find a terrarium. But, there are a few questions that can help you discover which terrarium is the best.
The first thing you need to ask to make sure you are buying the right terrarium for your frog is: What kind of habitat do my frog need? Is it a terrestrial tank, an aquatic habitat, a half/half or is it an arboreal habitat.
Second, you need to know how big your frog is going to get so that you can be sure that you buy a big enough terrarium for your frog.
The third thing you want to ask yourself is if you want to start with a small terrarium and have it grow with your frog(s). There are some people that enjoy it this way, but know that it is a more expensive way and not necessary.
The last thing, but also one of the most important things is, research the frog you want to buy! Red-eyed tree frogs require a different terrarium than Pacman frogs.
The one loves to climb in trees, and the other buries himself in the substrate most of the time. Do your research and buy accordingly.
So, what kind of terrarium is best? If you’re an Amazon shopper just like me, I will leave you some links below to two of my favorite terrariums.
- Aqueon Galleon Tank Black
- High quality glass construction with dimensions 30.25" x 12.5" x 12.75"
- For freshwater and marine applications
- Clean silicone edges (select sizes available in clear or black)
- Always include a drip loop when plugging aquarium appliances into the electrical outlet
- Place aquarium on stand able to safely bear the weight of a filled aquarium
- Exo Terra Allglass Terrarium
- Glass terrarium for reptiles or amphibians
- Patented front window ventilation
- Raised bottom frame in order to fit a substrate heater and has a waterproof bottom
- Escape-proof dual doors lock to prevent escape
- Closable inlets for wires and/or tubing management
Those two are almost always good enough for most pet frogs!
How much does a substrate for frogs cost?
There are different substrates to choose from. Below are the ones I like most and are most suitable for a variety of frogs.
Coconut Fiber
Coconut Fiber is made from the husks of coconuts, and I think the most popular substrate for amphibians. It is cheap and readily available you can find it on Amazon for about 12 dollars.
Zoo Med Eco Earth Loose Coconut Fiber
- Ideal for naturalistic terrarium type set-ups incorporating reptiles, amphibians or invertebrates.
- Use it damp for tropical species as it naturally absorbs and breaks down odor and waste products.
- All natural green "product"
Coco Husk
This is very similar to the coconut fiber, but this substrate is made in the form of chips (like wood chips). It is both great for retaining moisture as for creating air pockets so that your plant roots can grow. You can buy this for around 10 dollars.
Exo Terra Coco Husk Substrate
- 100 percent natural substrate; Ideal for natural terrarium set-ups
- Increases humidity in terrariums
- Stimulates natural digging and burrowing behavior
- 7.2 quarts
Soil
Topsoil is probably one of the easiest and cheapest to use. Where I live, a bag of 40 lb costs just a bit more than 2 dollars. This can vary depending on where you live, but this should be readily available.
Terrarium Topsoil mulch Combination
How much do heat lamps cost?
Heating the terrarium is very important. However, it isn’t as simple as just putting a heat mat under the enclosure and let it be that way. You want your frogs to stay warm, but not so warm that it is bad for their health. For different species of frogs, there are different kinds of heating possibilities.
For species like the Pacman Frog or Tomato Frog, they are great, and you can buy them for about $17.
Buy Tomato frog on Petsmart
Heat lamps are also a great option. But the downside to using a heat lamp is the fact that it can dry out your terrarium pretty fast. There are plenty of options when we talk about heat lamps.
The main thing you have to know is that it mostly will be a mix of UVA and UVB light. Some frogs don’t require UVB light, and because of this, you need to know which lamp you need.
A heat lamp costs around $17.
Terrarium Heat lamps for Amphibians
Cost of frog food
Frogs are carnivores (something you might already know), this means that they eat meat. They eat all sorts of stuff like flies, mosquitoes, moths, grasshoppers, worms or even small snakes and mice.
Best Food for Reptiles & Amphibians
- 2 Pack Of Zoo Med Aquatic Frog & Tadpole Food
- They're crafted for all aquatic frogs and tadpoles.
- These sinking micro pellets are high in protein, meaning you'll feed less.
- Fish based formula that frogs would naturally have in the wild.
- It's recommended to clear gravel or substrate from an area and drop the pellets at the bare-bottom for easy maintenance.
The most important thing to know is what is right for your frog. Do some research about your frog and find out what it likes best. I can’t give a price for this because it varies per species.
There we Go
I hope by now you know how much a pet frog costs. Don’t be afraid of the cost. You are getting a fantastic pet and years of fun in return for it!
Hi, I’m Mike, and I’m the creator of amphibianlife.com. If there was one word to describe it? It would be: passionate about Amphibians! Whether you want to know more about amphibians or have a presentation to give at school, you’ve come to the right place.
