Budgett's Frog

Looks how to spot one

skin

Budgett's frog has a flat, wide body with a very large head that makes up about a third of its total length. Its mouth is enormous and contains a row of upper teeth and two fang-like structures on the lower jaw. The limbs are short and stubby, and the forelimbs are not webbed. The skin is smooth and moist.4

Personality what they are like

Budgett's frogs are naturally aggressive and defensive. When threatened they puff up, stand tall on their legs, and let out a loud screech. If that does not deter an intruder they will bite, and their bite can be painful. They are not suitable for handling and are best kept as display animals.415

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Nocturnal and mostly sedentary. They spend much of the day partially submerged in water, waiting for prey. They do not need exercise beyond a spacious enclosure that allows them to move between water and land.41

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Very low grooming needs. The main care requirement is keeping the water exceptionally clean with gentle filtration and frequent water changes. The enclosure should have a broad, smooth slope or platform so the frog can easily exit the water. Gravel should be avoided as it can cause digestive problems; river stones are a better alternative.41

Home where they are happiest

A minimum 75 x 45 x 40 cm enclosure (about 30 gallons) is recommended for one adult. The tank should be split into a water area deep enough for full submersion and a dry resting area. Daytime temperature should be 23-27°C, night 21-24°C. Low-level UVB (Ferguson Zone 1) is beneficial. The frog does not need artificial aestivation for routine care. It is not listed by CITES or EU Wildlife Trade Annexes, but local regulations may apply.16

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Strictly carnivorous. In captivity they eat a variety of invertebrates such as crickets, dubia roaches, hornworms, earthworms and wax moth caterpillars. Occasional whole vertebrate prey like guppies can be offered, but not mammal meat. Tadpoles are also carnivorous and eat snails, insects, other tadpoles and crustaceans.456

Company who they like around

Must be kept alone. Budgett's frogs are highly aggressive and cannibalistic; they will eat anything smaller than themselves, including other frogs. They should never be housed with other species or with frogs of a different size.415

The story where it all began

Budgett's frog was discovered by English zoologist John Samuel Budgett, who described it in an 1899 paper while searching for lungfish in South America. For many decades it remained obscure, but a captive breeding programme began about a hundred years later. Today it is readily available in the pet trade and has become popular for its unusual flat appearance and bold personality.46