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20 easy amphibian for beginners
From African dwarf frogs and fire belly toads to tiger salamanders and pacman frogs – contrary to what you might have heard, there are many amphibians that are easy to keep. Due to their need for a carefully controlled environment that mimics their natural habitat, these fascinating animals often get branded as being complicated to look after.
Of course, all pets need lots of TLC and amphibians are no different. But once you know how to get their setup right (and avoid the simple setup mistakes), their care doesn’t have to be convoluted or complex. For starters, amphibians – which are defined as small vertebrates that require a moist environment and/or water to survive – span several different species, including frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts.
To thrive in a domestic setting, these soft-skinned creatures need a vivarium or tank that’s safe and sturdy, and able to be kept at the right temperature (most often with a hot side and a cooler side) and the correct humidity levels. Due to all amphibians being ectothermic (so, cold-blooded), they’ll also need an external heat source, like one of the best reptile heating pads, to help regulate their body temperature.
To uncover the amphibians that are easy to keep (making them ideal for busy pet parents), we’ve rounded up a list of our favourite 20.
Easy amphibians for beginners
1. American Green Tree frog
It wouldn’t be a list of the top easy amphibians unless we included the American Green Tree frog. Fascinating to look at, coming in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors, the humble leaper is one of the most beginner-friendly amphibians you can come across.
In the amphibian arena, they have relatively simple needs. So, along with the usual care requirements, as long as you feed them crickets, wax worms and earthworms and they have lots of places to climb to their heart’s content, these nocturnal creatures should be happy.
2. Tiger salamander
Often hailed as one of the most unusual pets, a tiger salamander might be anything but ordinary, but with a little know-how, they are one of the simplest amphibians to look after.
Of course, just like other amphibians, this tiger-printed beauty relies on external heat sources to help regulate its body temperature. And when bred in captivity, they are sociable beings, so if you intend to adopt one, bear in mind that you’ll need space for two. But with their protruding eyes and wide-set mouth, which look like they are always smiling, what’s not to love?
3. Xenopus clawed frog
Known (and loved) for their charming toothless and tongueless expression, these long-living amphibians, which have been known to live for up to 25 years, are completely aquatic. This means, if you intend to keep these beauties, you’ll need to have a fully aquatic or submerged habitat for them to roam in.
They’re also one of the most fascinating creatures to look at, with their slits in their webbed feet and hands, which look like giant claws.
4. Pacman Frogs
Considered to be terrestrial amphibians, most often found in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, Pacman frogs (also called horned frogs) prefer to spend most of their time underground and in humid environments rather than in the water.
But even though these larger-than-life frogs can grow to up to 6in long, they prefer to live life in the slow lane as they’re not very active at all. Therefore, they won’t need a large enclosure to satisfy their often sedentary needs. Instead, to keep these amphibians happy, your best bet is to keep their bellies fully stocked on crickets and mealworms and ensure they have enough substrate to burrow.
5. African Dwarf frogs
Small, perfectly peaceful and low-maintenance, African Dwarf frogs join this list of amphibians that are easy to keep and for multiple reasons.
Tiny, so not taking up much room at all, living for a moderately long time (around five to seven years on average) and thriving in water, these aqua-loving amphibians are a joy to keep – but that’s if you can find them.
Coming with a brown-green appearance, in the wild, these kind croakers much prefer to blend into their surroundings rather than being the star of the underwater world. But this makes them all the more alluring! So if you’re looking for aquarium pets that aren’t fish — consider an African Dwarf frog!
6. Fire-bellied toads
Just look at these multicolored beauties with their bright orange and red undersides and gorgeous green front!
Fire-bellied toads are popular among amphibian hobbyists for several reasons. The first being that they are a joy to look at. The second is that they are relatively easy to look after. And the third is that they are super-small in size (around 2in), so they are one of the best small pets for compact homes.
Plus, these toads require zero handling at all, as these semi-aquatic amphibians excrete toxins to prevent predators from eating them. Pretty, clever right?
7. Poison dart frog
Ticking all the boxes for being one of the most low-maintenance and easy-to-care-for amphibians once their right habitat has been set up, the poison dart frog is a great choice for beginner amphibian lovers and makes for one of the best first pets for children.
But don’t let their name fool you. Domestic poison dart frogs are, in fact, non-poisonous. That’s because their poison comes from their diet (such as insects like ants, mites, and millipedes) they eat when they’re in the wild. Therefore, this striking frog, which comes in a variety of vibrant colors, including red, green, blue, yellow and black, could be the ideal amphibian to share your home with.
8. Amazon Milk frog
Another beauty to add to the list. As their name suggests, the Amazon Milk frog is native to the Amazon Rainforest and they are considered to be a large species, growing anywhere between 2-4in.
Sociable, lovers of warm temperatures and high humidity levels, in the wild, they are classed as arboreal frogs (which means they spend the majority of their life in trees). So if you intend to become the very proud pet parent of an Amazon Milk frog, you’ll need an enclosure with enough height for them to climb.
9. Firebelly newts
It’s not just frogs and toads that are amphibians. Newts – like the firebelly newt – fit the bill, too.
Sometimes referred to as the Chinese firebelly newts, or the oriental firebelly newt, these striking pets are often characterized by their vibrant red-orange marking.
Considered to be aquatic as they live in bodies of water or in areas around them, these newts are active and hardy. Of course, just like other amphibians, there will be some work upfront to get their tank set up just right – as they thrive in cooler temperatures and clean water (so do read up on how to keep a tank clean), along with having access to some dry land and at least 12 hours of light.
But once this is all ticked off, they can live life right by your side for up to 30 years if cared for well.
10. Crested newts
Sturdy, robust and fairly easy to maintain, the crested newt could be another contender for your tank.
This wart-ridden charmer has a unique pattern of black spots on its orange underbelly, and it has a varied palette when it comes to their diet. For example, some will favor live foods like earthworms, shrimp, and bloodworms, while others might prefer fish food pellets.
Either way, they’ll need a body of water in which they can stretch their legs, but they’ll also yearn for some substrate where they can dry off and burrow.
11. Axolotl
Did you know you can have an axolotl as a pet? Well, that’s in some states, as these salamanders are illegal in certain places, like California, Maine, New Jersey, Washington, and Virginia. While in New Mexico and Hawaii, you’ll need a permit to keep these unique beauties.
But that said, these fairly low-maintenance amphibians, which are known best for their sweet smiles and feathery gills, are one of the more unusual pets. Remaining underwater their entire lives, so you’ll need a sturdy tank setup, these creatures are not to be handled. Once you have their housing needs sorted, they can live for up to 10 to 15 years.
12. Eastern newt
Mainly aquatic, Eastern newts are relatively easy to care for and if shown the right TLC, they can thrive in human company for 15 years (or more).
Native to the USA, Eastern newts’ habitat needs will shift between water and land, depending on their life stage. For example, they start their life underwater before moving onto land. They finally return to water as adults to breed.
Another word of warning? Eastern newts shouldn’t be handled and they are sensitive to heat. So if you’re considering making these amphibians your latest tank addition, do read up on the right care requirements to help them thrive.
13. Eastern tiger salamander
Here’s an exotic amphibian if ever there was one! In the wild, this large, robust and personable salamander is often found lurking in grassy fields, woodland areas and near bodies of water. So if you can replicate all of the above in a domestic setting, you’re onto a good thing.
Able to be kept with another tank mate, the key to living together under one roof in perfect harmony is to get this type of amphibian’s humidity, light, and heat right, while ensuring there is enough food to go around. If not, eastern tiger salamanders have been known to eat each other when food sources are sparse.
14. African bullfrog
If you’re sure you can control the right humidity levels and recreate temperatures fit for an African bullfrog, then this amphibian could be your newest family member.
Known for their seemingly endless appetite, growing at up to 10 inches, it’s been said that African bullfrogs can eat birds, lizards and snakes. But in captivity, these large-bodied frogs will favor invertebrates and other small vertebrates that they can fit in their mouth. So they could make for a great pet that isn’t a cat or dog.
15. Australian Green Tree frog
Australian Green Tree frogs are another type of easy-to-look-after amphibian that comes with a relatively long lifespan when in captivity.
Known for reaching the grand old age of 16, if well cared for, Australian Green Tree frogs are celebrated for their loud bell-like call (so it’s a wise idea not to keep their glass tank near where you sleep), sociable nature and their changing color, which can look more brown than green depending on the light, humidity and temperature in their habitat. Either way you look at it, these croakers will be fascinating to share a home with.
16. Tomato frogs
Best identified by their yellow-orange or bright red and orange coloring with black spots on their back, tomato frogs are brilliant at evading predators due to their number of defense mechanisms. For starters, they can release a toxic secretion through their skin. They can also inflate to deter predators.
But in captivity, this nocturnal species is pretty easy to look after (and keep safe). They might not need any special lighting requirements to satisfy their needs, but their tank will need to be kept at a 65–80% humidity level and set to stay at a temperature of between 65–85°F.
These loveable amphibians are also terrestrial, meaning they’ll prefer to have more horizontal space (so they can burrow) instead of vertical.
17. American toad
Another toad to add to the list, this common American species comes with short legs, stout bodies, and lots of warts. Despite the common misconception, touching an American toad won’t give you warts. However, these additions do play a vital role in the wild. That’s because they contain glands that produce a poisonous fluid, which provides protection against predators.
Keen to keep an American toad as a pet? These semi-aquatic creatures require some fresh water, along with vegetation for cover. They’ll also live happily when fed with a diet of crickets, mealworms and earthworms.
18. Southern toad
Starting out as herbivores as tadpoles and turning into carnivores as adults, this cold-blooded and smooth-skinned toad will favor a variety of terrestrial habitats – but it must be close to water.
Along with being able to eat up to 1,000 insects each day (yes, really!), this hardy toad is nocturnal, meaning it will come alive at night.
19. Gray tree frog
As their name suggests, gray tree frogs are an arboreal species that have webbed hands and feet and a penchant for climbing trees.
These large creatures will love feasting on mites, spiders, snails and slugs. And keen amphibian hobbyists will be pleased to know that, as long as you get their set-up right, these tree frogs will require very little upkeep – so they can be suitable for frog lovers who don’t have bundles of spare time but still want to share their home with these fascinating critters.
20. Red eye tree frog
With their red eyes and red-tipped feet, red-eyed tree frogs are perhaps one of the most intriguing amphibians to look at and one of the wonderful but weird and unusual animals you might not have heard of before.
Living on a diet of insects, favoring damp substrate and growing to around 3 inches, this arboreal frog will need space to live, eat and climb. They will also need UVB lighting, the right heating and a water bowl as a source of freshwater.
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