Having multiple species of pets such as reptiles and amphibians might sounds like a fascinating idea. A mixture of various kinds of frogs, snakes, lizards or salamanders in one cage makes it a perfect display. Zoologists often use these combinations to come up with unique exhibits that are engaging to humans. However, the big question is whether it is possible to have a frog and a lizard as pets at home.
Most reptiles do not perform well living with other breeds, but some can live with amphibians like frogs. The most crucial factor to take into consideration is that the two animals will not attack each other. The pets should live and grow in the same temperatures and habitat to cohabit well. If placed together, they should be regularly checked on to identify the aggressive animal and separate them immediately.
Common Issues When Keeping Different Species
While it is possible to house both frogs and lizards together, there needs to be careful selection of the different species and proper planning. Some of the factors to take into consideration include;
Cage size
When constructing a vivarium for mixed species, the first thing to think about is the cage size. The cage should total the size of both the animal’s individual cages. They should be provided with personal spaces to hunt food, behave naturally and regulate their temperatures. A regular frog usually has a 10-gallon area while a lizard requires a 20-gallon space. This means that the vivarium should be at least 30-gallon space to accommodate them well.
It is vital to understand that, in the wild, these animals have plenty of space to move around, that cages do not provide. It is then hard for the two different species to come across each other, not unless one is prey. When placed in a cage, it is paramount that trouble will occur even if they usually coexist.
Cage climate
Both species that are hosted in the same cages should originate from similar climatic conditions. If the environments do not align, they should not be housed together. Species from rainforests should be kept with fellow rainforest species while those of desert origin placed together.
Equally, humidity, temperatures, substrate, furnishings and airflow should be favorable for both breeds. Reptiles usually require temperatures of up to 25 degrees while amphibians do not necessarily need such temperatures. The favorable moisture level and humidity are also fundamental. Species from tropical climates should not be mixed with those from arid regions.
Temperature is an equally important factor. Aquatic species will require large water bodies that terrestrial animals do not need and can frown. Some species require perches and climbing spots while others need deep soil substrates to burrow in. To easily achieve a balance, it is best to have species from the same geographical regions.
Behavioral differences
Some frogs can eat lizards while some lizards can eat frogs and are therefore very important to identify cage mates very carefully. An aggressive animal can harass and intimidate the other, regardless of the breed. An excellent way to minimize disputes is to have species that use their cage spaces differently.
For instance, a diurnal, arboreal lizard and a nocturnal, terrestrial frog are the best to complement each other as they will not frequently cross paths. Keeping two nocturnal species that spend the most time in the cage is a recipe for disaster as they will be on each other’s paths and might stress each other out.
Chemical compatibility
A factor that is often ignored yet very crucial is the toxicity of the species. Some common pet amphibians secrete poisons that can either harm or kill their cage mates. American toads, grey tree frogs, red-banded walking frogs and fire belly frogs often secrete toxins and should not be caged with other animals.
Despite being commonly known to secrete poisons, Poison dart frogs are free of poison when captured for some time. The wild dart frogs have sequestered alkaloids that are used to produce toxins from their original prey. When caged, they cannot access the insects that give them poisons and hence lose their toxicity.
Compatible pairs
Diurnal lizards can live well with various species of tropical frogs. They can be housed with medium-sized chubby frogs or nocturnal terrestrial frogs like tomato. Small nocturnal lizards can be kept with some toxin dart frogs since the lizards are nocturnal while the frogs are diurnal. However, some species can change their activities over some time and change from being nocturnal to diurnal.
Diseases
It is vital to consider that having different species of animals from different environments can increase the risk of foreign disease transmission. Before keeping different species together, it would be best to have them in separate cages for some time to ensure they are healthy.
A period of two months of isolation is enough to determine if one has a health issue. However, some species can appear healthy but still carry a disease that the other is at risk of contracting. Health screening plays an essential role before mixing the species.
Frogs and Lizards Classification
Reptiles like lizards and amphibians such as frogs are usually grouped together as they are considered as ectothermic animals. This means that they derive their heat from outside sources, usually the sun. The species must gain the heat for their internal temperatures to rise. The high temperatures enable them to perform basic tasks like making essential vitamins and minerals from the sun and achieve digestion.
Once they are warm under the sun, the reptiles and amphibians maintain the temperature until sunset or when they stop moving. The two species have vast differences in their life cycles. Frogs typically live in and around water because they have a porous skin. Lizards, on the other hand, have a double life. They can live both on land and on water.
Frogs lay eggs in water, usually soft-shelled eggs where the young one’s hatch. The young ones are referred to as tadpoles, and they metamorphize to adults where their gills get replaced by lungs. Lizards equally lay eggs, but hard-shelled eggs and hatch to young ones. Their young ones look like adults and grow up to gain size and become adults.
Reptiles have a skin that contains keratin, which is not permeable to water. Keratin is similar to fingernails and mammal hair. This substance allows reptiles to live in salty surroundings without disturbing their homeostasis.
Caring for Pet Frogs
Frogs have a long lifespan of about four to fifteen years, depending on the level of care. Some of the tiniest frogs grow into giant frogs and can be eight to nine inches long and fat. Young frogs are known to be very active compared to larger frogs that do not move a lot. Frogs should not be regularly held since their skin is unique and sensitive. Having a frog when busy is not advisable since they require constant attention.
Housing Frogs
A tank needs to be set up with adequate water inappropriate temperature, humidity and heat before getting a frog. Some frogs can hibernate and will require certain specific conditions to ensure their safety during that time. Ensure you get the right tank that the frog will need. This includes the arboreal, semi-aquatic or terrestrial frogs. The most common types of the required tank by frogs are the half lands and half water environment tank.
It is best to keep the frog enclosure clean, although it requires a lot of effort. Most frogs have simple requirements for humidity, temperature and light. However, they are very sensitive to wastes and contaminants in their habitat.
Food and water
The frog’s diet mainly depends on the frog species, but they are generally carnivores and feed on live prey. Most frogs feed on insects such as worms, crickets. Caterpillars, grasshoppers and moths. Some large frogs can feed on pinky mice. Frog food can be purchased from local pet food stores. Also, ensure that clean and fresh water is available for the frog.
Frog Species for Beginners
Similar to other pets, before acquiring a frog, you should conduct extensive research on the type of frog that suits you. Some common frogs for beginners include;
- Dwarf Frogs– they are small, active, aquatic and the most comfortable frogs to house.
- Oriental Fire Bellied Toads– they are semi-terrestrial frogs and are moderately active and easy to keep.
- White’s Tree Frog– these types of frogs are docile and easy to keep. However, they can be boring as they are not very active.
- African Clawed Frog– these are large aquatic frogs that require minimal care.
- Pacman Frogs– these are terrestrial frogs that are easy to care for, but they grow into large sizes and become sedentary.
Caring for Pet Lizards
There are several factors to keep in mind when getting a lizard and include;
- Heat and lighting– lizards are usually cold-blooded and require heat to function correctly.
- Appropriate temperature– lizards require a wide range of temperatures to regulate their body functions properly.
- Proper diet– vitamin A deficiency is common with lizards, and they, therefore, require a proper diet. Lizards also eat crickets and mealworms.
- Humidity– reptiles usually shed their skin to indicate that the environment needs to be changed. Using hygrometer is the best way to measure the percentage of moisture.
Lizard Species for Beginners
- Leopard geckos– this is the best starter lizard. They are small, needs a small tank, are easy to handle and do not need much lighting. They also come in multiple colors.
- Bearder dragons and frill-necked lizards– these are easy to handle and docile lizards but need large tanks and much sunlight.
- Blue-tongued lizards– they are docile but require large tanks with enough UV light.
- Green anoles -they are small lizards that are readily available and do not need huge tanks with UV light.
Frogs and Pest Control
Frogs and toads can eat about 1,000 insects in one season. They play a crucial role in keeping the house free of bugs and protect the health of your family. This is because they feed on insects such as fire ants, disease-ridden flies and mosquitos. Frogs are also bioindicators and extermination professionals. Bioindicators means that they can tell the health of the lawn, shrubbery and garden. Many frogs coming to the yard indicate that the property is healthy while a decreased number can suggest otherwise.
The Downside of Frogs
- You can mistake their droppings for rodent’s droppings– since the droppings of a frog are similar to those of rodents, you might think that rodents infest the house. It would be best to get the opinions of licensed vets before purchasing rodent poisons and traps.
- They can cause harm- certain frog species can produce toxins that are dangerous to other household pets like cats and dogs.
Lizards and Pest Control
Having lizards is the best way to reduce insect capacity around the house. Lizards also aid in keeping the family healthy as they eat small, disease-carrying flies and crickets. When you spot a lizard, do not be fast to chase it as it might have spotted an insect.
The Downside of Lizards
- They carry diseases– lizards are commonly known to carry salmonella. Even if they look healthy, certain germs can be found in their skin that causes vomiting, headache and fever in humans.
- Giant lizards can cause damage– some large lizards like Nile Monitor have bad tempers and sharp teeth. They can damage the yard, attack livestock and other small pets. Some can even bite humans.
The Bottom Line
Having a multi-species cage requires a lot of research, money, space and time to plan appropriately. It is what most pet owners fail to succeed in and avoid having frogs and lizards as pets. It is common to find such cages in zoos and scientific institutions since they have vets with an exotic specialty working full-time. Additionally, they have more resources than individual persons with a vast budget allocated for maintaining the cages. Their staff are also experienced with knowledge of exotic species.
Having a reptile and amphibian tank is the best way to start for someone passionate and has the resources necessary to acquire and maintain one. If you are a beginner in keeping mixed species of reptiles and amphibians, there are several safer options to explore. You could have a multi-species tank with diverse animals but are separated by a glass divider to provide each species with individual requirements separately. Although it can be challenging to have them, these animals are the best natural way to keep the house safe from an infestation and keep the family members healthy.