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21 Most Popular Pet Frog Species

As a former pet frog-mom, previous exotic pet store clerk, and now as vet assistant in an exotic veterinary clinic, I have seen a wide variety of amazing pet frog species over the years.

Pacman frogs, Tomato frogs, Whites Tree frogs, and Red-Eyed Tree frogs are some of the most popular pet frog species.

I have written this article based on my extensive knowledge of pet frogs to help you decide which species may be best adapted to your experience level.

Keep in mind, pet frogs are not ment for everyone (we explain why here).

If you do decide you would like to get a pet frog, be sure to check out our article about best frog husbandry practices.

Ok, let’s dive into the most popular pet frog species 🙂

1. Pacman Frog

  • Experience Level: Beginner
  • Scientific name: Ceratophrys
  • Average size: 4-8 inches 
  • Lifespan: 6-10 years in captivity 

Pacman Frogs are my first choice for a pet frog 🙂

They are relatively low maintenance and easy to care for.

Pacman Frogs originate in South America but have dominated the amphibian pet trade. 

Named “pacman” for their huge mouths, they mainly eat bugs such as mealworms, crickets, and roaches but can be fed mice once a week depending on their size.

They come in a variety of color morphs

Learn More About Pacman Frogs on our blog

2. Tomato Frog

  • Experience Level: Beginner 
  • Scientific name: Dyscophys antongilii 
  • Average size: 3 inches 
  • Lifespan: 11-12 years in captivity 

Tomato Frogs love to burrow in a thick layer of substrate and hide under decorations.

They are not too common to find in a petstore, but are hardy creatures that can withstand changes.

Their bright colors is what makes them a popular pet. 

Learn More About Tomato Frogs on our blog

3. White’s Tree Frog

  • Experience Level: Intermediate  
  • Scientific name: Ranoidea caerulea
  • Average size: 4 inches 
  • Lifespan: 16-20 years in captivity 

The only reason I mark this species as an intermediate pet is because of their housing requirements.

They require tall enclosures with plenty of plants and branches to hang onto.

Besides that, they are fairly easy to care for! 

Learn More About White’s Tree Frogs on our blog

4. Red-Eyed Tree Frog

  • Experience Level: Intermediate
  • Scientific name: Agalychnis callidryas 
  • Average size: 3 inches 
  • Lifespan: 5-15 years in captivity 

The care of these frogs is identical to a White’s Tree Frog.

White’s Tree Frog and Red-Eyed Tree Frogs can technically be housed together, though cohabitation of species is the owner’s discretion.

They keep their colors well hidden until disturbed for food or a health check. 

Learn More About Red-Eyed Tree Frogs on our blog

5. Poison Dart Frogs

  • Experience Level: Advanced 
  • Scientific name: Dendrobatidae 
  • Average size: 2 inches 
  • Lifespan: 10-15 years in captivity 

Poison dart frogs are, as their name suggests, toxic (when they are fed a diet of specific ants).

Caution should be used when caring for them.

They are small and quick and come in many different vibrant colors and have high humidity requirements. 

Learn More About Poison Dart Frogs on our blog

6. Cane Toad

  • Experience Level: Intermediate 
  • Scientific name: Rhinella marina 
  • Average size: 6 inches 
  • Lifespan: 10-15 years in captivity 

Cane toads are spunky terrestrial toads that get quite large.

Cane Toads have large housing requirements and a patient owner who can put up with their sassy days.

They are pretty secretive and love to hide and burrow. 

Learn More About Cane Toads on our blog

7. Suriname Toad 

  • Experience Level: Advanced  
  • Scientific name: Pipa pipa
  • Average size: 8 inches 
  • Lifespan: 7 years in captivity 

This aquatic pet frog species requires treated water instead of regular tap water, like every aquatic frog species.

A filter will be necessary to keep the water clean, and sinking food pellets to feed it on the bottom of the enclosure. 

8. Pixie Frog 

  • Experience Level: Advanced 
  • Scientific name: Pyxiecephalus adspersus
  • Average size: 5 inches 
  • Lifespan: 45 years in captivity 

These frogs can get very large, with females reaching the size of a dinner plate!

Pixie Frogs live for a few decades and are known to be an aggressive species.

Also known as the African Bullfrog, these should only be owned by advanced amphibian keepers. 

Learn More About Pixie Frogs on our blog

9. Hourglass Tree Frog 

  • Experience Level: Intermediate 
  • Scientific name: Dendropsophus ebraccatus 
  • Average size: 1 inch
  • Lifespan: 5-8 years in captivity 

This frog is an arboreal species that requires vertical climbing space.

Hourglass Tree Frogs also like temperatures to be in the 70’s.

They can be social so it is okay to house with other hourglass tree frogs. 

10. Cuban Tree Frog 

  • Experience Level: Intermediate 
  • Scientific name: Osteopilus septentrionalis 
  • Average size: 3 inches 
  • Lifespan: 3-5 years in captivity 

This arboreal frog species enjoys the higher temperatures paired with high humidity.

Keep them in a vertical tank to allow them climbing space and provide branches to perch on. 

Learn More Cuban Tree Frogs on our blog

11. Fire-Bellied Toad 

  • Experience Level: Intermediate 
  • Scientific name: Bombina bombina 
  • Average size: 2 inches 
  • Lifespan: 20 years in captivity 

This semi aquatic species will need housing suitable for life in the water with plenty of access to dry land.

Typically, a long aquarium with stackable pebbles should suffice.

Don’t forget the water filter and food that can float or sink. 

Learn More About Fire-Bellied Toads on our blog

12. Golden Tree Frog 

  • Experience Level: Intermediate 
  • Scientific name: Polypedates leucomystax 
  • Average size: 2 inches 
  • Lifespan: 5 years in captivity 

These frogs require vertical climbing space and branches to perch on.

Golden Tree Frogs love very high humidity, so make sure to provide a mister or fogger to keep levels up!

They can be kept with others socially. 

13. African Clawed Frog 

  • Experience Level: Intermediate 
  • Scientific name: Xenopus laevis
  • Average size: 5 inches 
  • Lifespan: 15-30 years in captivity 

We sold these guys a lot as pets when I worked at a petstore.

They are a very cool, fully aquatic, frog species that eat food off the bottom of their enclosures.

They are typically fine to have by themselves or with others. 

Learn More About African Clawed Frogs on our blog

14. Emerald-Eyed Tree Frog 

  • Experience Level: Intermediate 
  • Scientific name: Hypsiboas crepitans 
  • Average size: 2 inches 
  • Lifespan: Not specified 

This arboreal species can be easily found, but is not a very common pet.

They should be provided with vertical climbing space and lots of coverage.

Don’t forget about the high humidity! 

15. African Dwarf Frog 

  • Experience Level: Intermediate 
  • Scientific name: Hymenochirus 
  • Average size: 3 inches 
  • Lifespan: 5-20 years in captivity

This common pet species is fully aquatic, requiring a full aquarium with treated water and a filter.

African Dwarf Frogs should be fed a diet that sinks to the bottom of their aquarium.

They are not very active and prefer to just hang out during the day. 

Learn More About African Dwarf Frogs on our blog

16. Chubby Frog

  • Experience Level: Beginner 
  • Scientific name: Kaloula pulchra 
  • Average size: 3 inches 
  • Lifespan: 10 years in captivity 

This species, adorably nicknamed “chubby frog,” are an easily adaptable species of frog.

They prefer to burrow and did and leaf litter is a wonderful addition to their habitats. 

17. Mossy Frog  

  • Experience Level: Intermediate 
  • Scientific name: Theloderma corticale 
  • Average size: 3 inches 
  • Lifespan: 12-15 years in captivity 

This is a semi-aquatic species, so enclosure set up will take more time than a regular terrestrial pet.

This can be in the sense of a large water bowl to accommodate them, or filling one side of the enclosure with water and leaving the other filled with substrate. 

18. Solomon Island Leaf Frog 

  • Experience Level: Beginner 
  • Scientific name: Ceratobatrachus guentheri 
  • Average size: 3 inches 
  • Lifespan: 3-5 years in captivity 

This terrestrial pet species may be an amphibian, but are known to be very poor swimmers.

Whatever water bowl they are given should be shallow and checked often. 

19. Amazon Milk Frog 

  • Experience Level: Intermediate 
  • Scientific name: Trachycephalus resinifictrix 
  • Average size: 3 inches 
  • Lifespan: 25 years in captivity 

This fairly common pet species has milky toxic secretions, so be careful when cleaning!

Amazon Milk Frogs have a variety of different coloration morphs.

They are terrestrial, but be sure to add some climbing decorations to their house. 

Learn More About Amazon Milk Frogs on our blog

20. American Bullfrog 

  • Experience Level: Beginner
  • Scientific name: Rana catesbeiana 
  • Average size: 9 inches 
  • Lifespan: 8-10 years 

Not a very common indoor pet species, but can be kept in outdoor ponds and water features!

They would need lots of vegetation and rocks to hide under, as well as easy access in and out of the water. 

Learn More About American Bullfrogs on our blog

21. Gray Tree Frog 

  • Experience Level: Intermediate 
  • Scientific name: Dryophytes versicolor 
  • Average size: 2 inches 
  • Lifespan: 7-9 years 

These frogs will need vertical climbing space as well as a consistently heat controlled temperature.

Grey Tree Frogs are not a common pet in North America.

They are native to North America and cannot be kept as pets in regions where they naturally occur. 

Learn More About Grey Tree Frogs on our blog

Keep in mind, pet frogs are not for everyone.

But if you do decide you would like to get a pet frog, be sure to check out our article about best frog husbandry practices.

That article will really help you be a better frog parent and applying our tips can significantly contribute to your pet’s longevity! 🙂

This article was written by Melissa M. who holds a Bachelors of Science in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences, and a Master Herpetologist certificate. The article was edited and published by Daniella, Master Herpetologist in the author profile below.

Daniella Master Herpetologist

Daniella is a Master Herpetologist and the founder of toadsnfrogs.com, a website dedicated to educating the general population on frogs by meeting them where they are in their online Google Search. Daniella is passionate about frogs and put her digital marketing skills and teaching experience to good use by creating these helpful resources to encourage better education, understanding, and care for frogs.