Amphibians are incredibly diverse concerning their average lifespans. Their lifespans are generally affected by their health and wellbeing from their formative years into adulthood, and most frogs have longer lifespans when properly cared for in captivity.
Frogs kept in captivity generally live 10 to 20 years, but their lifespans depend on the species, size, gender, and living conditions. How long a frog lives is primarily influenced by overall care and maintenance, as healthy frogs provided with better nutrition and habitats generally lives longer.
While frogs typically live longer in captivity, their lifespans will ultimately rely on their quality of life and the living conditions provided by caregivers. Join us as we discuss how long different frog species live in captivity and how their care affects their overall lifespan.
Factors Influencing Captive Frog Lifespan
Frogs generally live for 10 – 20 years in captivity. Most frogs have much longer lives when cared for as beloved pets, as frogs typically only live around 2 to 16 years in the wild.
This increase in life expectancy is generally due to the prospect of better living conditions, access to adequate food sources, and shelter from natural threats such as predators and extreme weather. Yet the main factors to influence how long a frog may live is initially based on the species and gender.
Average Frog Lifespan is Influenced by Species
On average, frogs live 10 to 20 years in captivity compared to the wild. Larger frogs generally tend to live longer with American Bullfrogs living up to 16 years, and Cane Toads living up to 40 years in captivity, and smaller frogs like Gray Tree Frogs and Australian Tree Frogs living 10 to 20 years.
Below is an outline of the average expected lifespan between some of the most common frog species, assessing standard longevity while living in the wild versus living in captivity:
| Frog Species | Average Lifespan In The Wild (Years) | Average Lifespan In Captivity (Years) |
| American Bullfrog | 8 – 10 | 16 |
| Spring Peeper | 4 | 6 |
| American Green Tree Frog | 4 | 6 |
| Goliath Frog | 15 | 21 |
| Pacman Frog | 1 – 4 | 6 – 10 |
| Green Frog | 6 | 10 |
| Northern Leopard Frog | 4 – 5 | 9 |
| Common Frog | 5 | 10 |
| Gray Tree Frog | 7 | 9 |
| Australian Tree Frog | 16 | 20 |
| Blanchardās Cricket Frog | 2 | 4 |
The average life expectancy is a fairly broad range, and the anticipated lifespan of different frogs will fundamentally rely on the frog species itself since some frog species live much longer than others. The variations in average life expectancies occur since different frog species have varying genetics and DNA, some of which contribute to longer lifespans.
Lifespans May Be Influenced By Gender
The frogās gender may influence the average life expectancy in some cases. While this is not a general rule across all frogs on a broad scale, some frog species experience different average life spans between genders. Females generally have longer life expectancies in these cases.
| Frog Species | Average Male Lifespan (Years) | Average Female Lifespan (Years) |
| Mantidactylus Grandidieri | 4 | 5 – 6 |
| Taurus Frog | 6 | 7 |
| Common Frogs | 5 – 15 | 5 – 18 |
Above are examples of frog species that experience such differentiation. These numbers were found in scientific studies that compared frog lifespan based on gender.
Lifespans May Be Influenced By Size
In addition to the factors determined by their inherent genetics and DNA, frogsā life expectancies may also be influenced by their size. While their size is not a primary influence on overall longevity, some studies found that size may have a minor role in their lifespans.
As we already noted, larger frogs tend to live longer. This is generally due to the fact that the larger frogs become, the larger the prey they can eat. Larger frogs have less predators since they can eat many of the predators that would eat them if they were smaller. This includes birds, bats, other frogs, and small mammals.
How To Encourage Longer Lifespans For Frogs In Captivity
While quite a few key genetic factors contribute to average lifespans, caregivers generally have the largest role in determining how long their beloved pet frog will live. Frogs are incredibly sensitive to the changes experienced in their surroundings, making them extremely vulnerable to improper living conditions.
Frogsā life spans are influenced by their nourishment and environment, necessitating specific habitat and care requirements throughout their lives (CTNF). Different frog species have varying habitat and care requirements, and caregivers will need to consult professionals or knowledgeable sources to acquire the specific requirements for each unique frog species.
However, there are a few primary areas that will need special attention when caring for pet frogs. Make sure to focus on these key aspects to ensure your cherished amphibian gets the safe and comfortable home that it needs to live a long and happy life. If you cannot provide ideal conditions, do not get a pet frog.
Clean Environment
One of the most important influences concerning frog life spans is their overall environment and habitat. Since frogs have permeable skin, they are extremely vulnerable to bacteria, fungus, and decay in their habitats. Their enclosures should be kept clean at all times, and they should be protected from the foreign bacteria carried by humans and other animals.
Balanced Diet
Frogs need a well-rounded diet that is high in nutrition content, and they need to be fed live prey for optimum quality of life. Some frogs may be fed pellets or other pre-packaged food options sold at retail pet stores. But, frogs generally prefer live prey such as small invertebrates or even small mammals, depending on the frog species.
The amount of food, quality of food sources, size, and feeding frequency play a massive role in their health and bodily functions, which will greatly impact their life expectancy as they age. If possible, caregivers can invest in food farms, such as cricket farms, and add vitamins or minerals to their meals to increase the nutrition content.
Clean and Fresh Water
Water is by far the most important factor concerning frog health, happiness, and longevity. While some frogs do not need water as much as others, all frogs need access to water around the clock. All frogs are susceptible to dehydration, irrespective of frog type, and they need enough water to swim and bathe as they drink through their skin.
Frogs also use water for additional purposes, such as thermoregulation and cleanliness. Having access to clean and fresh water free from harmful additives such as salt or chlorine is incredibly important for their health and happiness over time.
Humidity and Temperature
Frogs that live within stable temperatures and humidity levels live longer lives. Erratic or extreme temperatures will pose serious risks for their overall health over time. Frogs cannot withstand fluctuating or extreme temperatures, and they may die or have shortened lifespans in such conditions.
Human Activity
Another influential factor is the overall level of human activity within their surroundings, such as touching them without gloves. Frogs are extremely susceptible to chemicals and harsh substances on our hands including soap residue. A frog that is held too high and falls may break a leg which is irreparable. Wear gloves and hold your frog with caution to help them live longer.
More About Frog Lifespan
Many uncontrollable factors influence frogsā lifespans, such as genetics, gender, and potentially their size (CTNF). However, the primary influence on frogsā life expectancies concerns their living conditions and overall care. Frogs living in captivity should have enriched and comfortable environments topped with adequate hydration and well-rounded diets to encourage their maximum life expectancies.
Learn more about caring for frogs so they live longer on our blog:
