My children have a frog habitat. Instead of buying a tadpole and raising it, they have found a wood frog and want to keep it. We have had it for a few weeks now. The only problem I have with it is that a wood frog hibernates during the winter. I have check all over trying to find out if it is possible to keep this type of frog indoors during the winter. Can anyone give me any information about this?

By the way, we live in Michigan if it makes a difference.
Thanks!

Hi Twinhearts!! Glad to see you around. Its been a while.

The DNR should have information about keeping frogs. They will be able to direct you to someone to help.

Michigan DNR

Location Information
Plainwell Operations Service Center
621 North 10th Street
Plainwell, Michigan 49080

Telephone : 269-685-6851
Hours : Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM, September 25 10AM-3PM, September 28 - November 14 (Monday 7AM-6PM, Tuesday – Friday 8AM-5PM), November 15-22 7AM-6PM, November 23 – January 7 (Monday 7AM-6PM, Tuesday – Friday)


I emailed a few sites and am waiting for a response. The sites that I have gone to do NOT suggest keeping the wood frog as a pet. If a hibernating frog is disturbed it could die. It also could hurt the frog population.

I found a site on caring for frogs with some great tips. This will help you take care of the frog while you decide what to do. Caring for Frogs

I also found this article from another site called Enchanted Garden. If you do decide to let the frog free know this:

quote:

The timing of the release back into the wild can be a limiting factor for the frog. There are still many unknown about a frog’s biology. For example, it is unknown when frogs and toads begin to find their winter homes and go into hibernation. It is crucial that the animal be released in the exact location at which it was collected. Not only is it possible that a new environment cannot provide the habitat (food, water, shelter and space) that the animal requires, but it may also be unhealthy for the ecosystem, through the spread of viral infections and other diseases that the frog may have developed while in captivity.

I did email another frog site. If they respond then I will post again.

It is great to 'see' you!

Clarebear,
Thanks for the sites. They have a lot of useful info. I have a feeling I am going to have to disappoint my boys. Everything I find advises against keeping this type of frog.

I'll probably let them keep it for another couple of days or so and then release it. We got it in their grandparents woods so releasing it back were we found it will be no problem.

Thanks again for going through the trouble of finding the info for me.

By the way, it's great to 'see' you again too! I'll probably be around a little more often.

I got a response! Robyn Rhudy was very helpful. Great site too!

Robyn Rhudy from fishpondinfo wrote:

quote:

They should not keep a wood frog in captivity so I suggest they release it.
If they don't, the wood frog should be hibernated in a ventilated refrigerator
at about 36 degrees F in a plastic shoe box with 1/4 of an inch of water and
holes in the shoe box lid. If not hibernated, the life span of the frog will
be greatly shortened. Most "frog habitats" that are sold are way too small.
I have a page on overwintering frogs but it is NOT geared towards wood frogs
which amazingly normally freeze solid in the winter as they have a built in
antifreeze.

http://www.fishpondinfo.com/frog3.htm (see under helping frogs and toads to
overwinter).

I found this site also. Lot's of information!

I explained the situation to the kids and they are willing to release the frog. We have decided to get a Leapard Frog tadpole. This way, they can watch the frog evolve. This type of frog is much more suited to a frog habitat.

Thanks again!
Twin