Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a Bull Frog Tadpole i have been debating with my self if i should let it go or not. They used to be around my area but have slowly diapeared my plan was to raise two bullfrogs and have them breed but i can't find one with well developed hind legs. what do you suggest?

p.s i got him from a local pet store

Personally I wouldn't release him. Bull Frogs are an introduced species. If they have started to dwindle off in your area then your echo system is starting to "right" itself again. Breeding and releasing can throw that off.

You may also want to check with your local laws as well in regards to releasing animals. I know that here in FL is't illegal to release.

Plus, with it being raised in captivity you lessen it's chances of survival in the wild because it gets used to having it's food brought to it. Not to mention it's lack of exposure to the parasites and such that are in the wild.

If you are unable to provide a life time home for it, I would suggest perhaps finding someone who can.
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Heather

Wether or not it is an introduced species depends upon where he is.
West of the Rockies - it is introduced, and has wreaked havock - contributing to the extinction of the vegas valley leopard frog, and the endangered status of the California Red Legged frog.

But he may be in an area where they are native.

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With respect to declining populations being ecology "righting itself" - I find that highly unlikely.

Many creek systems where I use to catch bullfrogs are now completely void of them. They are completely void of any frogs - even the toads are gone. And the fish that use to be there are virtually gone as well.

Polution took its toll on those creek systems.
Furthermore - there is a worldwide amphibian decline.

Ecology does not "right itself" in the way you speak - it does not decide it doesn't want bullfrogs and then get rid of them to return to its previous state.

Ecology adapts to the presence of introduced species that are able to survive - and (unfortunately) that very often means the elimination of native species.

Absolutely not, no release. Your post is very confusing.

my plan was to raise two bullfrogs and have them breed but i can't find one with well developed hind legs.

Frogs don't breed in the larval stage!??

Bullfrogs require a huge container as adults, and are not easy to take care of PROPERLY. Make sure you correctly identify it as a bullfrog and not a green frog. If you took the petstores word on it, its probably wrong. It could possibly be leopard frogs as well.

If it is a bullfrog, consider the lifespan (10-15yrs) and the huge space they need and decide whether or not to keep it. It should not be release under ANY circumstance. If you are not able to take care of it as an adult, it should be euthanized humanely.
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*Humans aren't the only species on earth... we just act like it.

".the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without
spoiling it."
Aldo Leopold (1938)

what i ment by that is that my tadpole (at the time of the post) had very well develpoed legs and was starting to signs of front feet(little buds) sence he is so far in develpoment it would be hard to find a tadpole around his age that would turn into a frog at the same time.

P.S I Found some bull frog tadpoles in the woods near my house. Plus i also found one adult Bullfrog i did not have my camera at the time but if i find some more i'll post some pictures

Watch the development and keep track of time. Bull frogs can take up to 2 years to morph. If the tad you have seems to be growing quickly it's very likely a Leo of a Green frog, which are fairly easy to care for. 1 leo or green can do quite well in a 2o gallon (though I would give them a 29 at least because of how much they jump) 1/2 land 1/2 water.

When I first started with frogs it was with a few Leo tads that I had picked up at a local fish shop. They took about a month and a half to morph. There was one green frog in the bunh but it didn't make it. The three leos that I raised I gave to a school teacher/neighbor of mine who keeps them in her glass room of 3rd graders. I spoke with her the other day and she says that they are back in the class room now that school has started back up and are doing VERY well.
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Heather

I would just leave the bullfrogs outdoors. Since they are in such close proximity to your house, there's no reason to have to take them home to enjoy them. It is much more fun to watch them in their natural habitat than seeing them bonk into the glass of an aquarium trying to get out. My boyfriend and I will spend hours hiding behind catttails to observe bullfrogs. (Maybe not a pastime for "noormal" people, but oh well.
If it were any other species, something smaller, I'd say it wouild be ok to take one tadpole and keep it through adulthood. But since you're just starting out, I think a bullfrog would be a bad choice; they live for MANY years and are quite large, especially females, and require a very large, hard-to-clean aquarium or even a pond. If you can find some leopard or green frogs, they're great "starter" frogs.
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*~Ginevive~*