How to Feed a Tree Frog the Easy, Fun Way

If you are like me, you love pets whether furry, scaly or smooth. Tree frogs are pretty easy to take care of, but like any other pet, they do take some time to care for. Feeding can be a fun and easy part of this, even if you are squeamish when it comes to their food. In this article, I will be focusing on feeding your frogs meal worms.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• tree frog(s)
• meal worms
• tweezers

1. 
    
   Meal Worms (www.isd12.org)

   First you will want to find some meal worms that are a good size for your frog. Pet stores usually have at least 2 sizes of meal worms. If you do not know what size to get for your frog, someone at the pet store should be able to advise.

2. Meal worms can be refrigerated when you aren't using them. I try to get mine out of the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before I feed them to the frogs. This amount of time will warm them up so that they will start wiggling around, which is what you want.

3. Once your meal worms are warmed up, make sure your frog is somewhere where you can reach him to feed him. You will want to open up the door/lid on your cage (be sure to watch your frog and make sure he doesn't escape).

4. Pick up one of the worms with your tweezers. Meal worms tend to be pretty feisty and squirmy, so make sure you grasp it tight, but not too tight to where you injure it.

5. 
    
   My tree frog, Newton, who I have had for over 5 years. copyright Foto Frog Photography (www.fotofrog-photography.com)

   Dangle the meal worm in front of your frog's face. The frog may be sleeping, but should wake up and notice it within a few seconds. You want the worm to be moving around because that is how frogs notice their food and catch it. If the worm is not moving very much, you will want to move it around sporadically to imitate the natural movements of the worm, so that your frog will notice it.

6. The frog should grab the worm in his mouth right out of the tweezers. It will probably be a pretty quick movement, so make sure you hold the worm so he can get it without dropping it.

7. Repeat the process until your frog is finished eating. The frog may wait a few minutes before taking another worm, so be patient and you will learn your frog's eating habits. My frogs will usually eat about the same amount of meal worms each time and will stop grabbing them out of the tweezers when they are full. This is a good way to bond with your frogs and your frogs will learn that you are the one who feeds them and takes care of them and they should get more comfortable with you over time.

Tips & Warnings

• Take time to feed your frog, especially the first few times, so that you can get to know your frog's eating habits.
• Some tree frogs are sneaky and will escape if you aren't careful. Be sure to watch what they are doing at all times while you have their door/lid open, especially if you have more than one frog in the same cage.
• Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after caring for your frogs, whether you touch them or not. Tree frogs can carry diseases, so better to be safe than sorry and wash your hands every time you touch the frog, its habitat, or food.
• Be careful not to give your frog food that is too big for it to swallow.

[maryladd]

on 10/5/2009 tree frogs are so fun to listen to at night..they always remind me of the tropics..I never thought about feeding one but this sounds fun and easy...thanks 5 * and recommended you

[5thteacher]

on 8/29/2009 A tree frog would be a great addition to my classroom! Thanks for the tips.

[disim2002]

on 8/24/2009 It's really amazing watching them eat!

[chrisanimelo444]

on 8/23/2009 I always wanted a pet frog. Thanks for the tips!

[highcloud]

on 8/23/2009 I love frogs!!! Great tips. 5*