Tomato Frog

Overview

The tomato frog is a round, bright red or orange frog that really does look like a ripe tomato. It lives on the island of Madagascar, off the coast of Africa, where it hides in damp, shady places on the forest floor. The bold red colour is a warning to predators that this frog is not a good meal. Females are usually the brightest and biggest, while males are a bit smaller and more orange.

Like other land frogs, the tomato frog is not a fish and does not live in water. It needs a land terrarium with soft, damp bedding it can dig into, since it likes to burrow down with just its face showing. It is a calm, mostly still animal that is best watched rather than handled. If it feels threatened, it has a surprising defence up its sleeve, or rather in its skin.

What it is and where it comes from

The tomato frog is an amphibian found only on the island of Madagascar. It lives in damp forests and near ponds and slow water, spending its days hidden in leaf litter or buried in soft ground. Its bright tomato colour warns hungry animals to stay away. It is a land dwelling frog with special care needs, not a fish, and it does best living alone in its own terrarium.

Tank and water needs

A single tomato frog needs a land terrarium with deep, soft, damp bedding, such as coconut fibre, that it can burrow into. Keep it warm and humid, around 70 to 80F (21 to 27C). Because it is not a swimmer, any water should be a shallow dish it can easily climb out of, never a deep pool. The bedding should stay lightly moist and clean, and the tank needs a secure lid to keep the frog safe inside.

Diet and feeding

Tomato frogs are insectivores that eat crickets, worms, and other small bugs, usually dusted with vitamins. They are ambush eaters, sitting quietly and then grabbing prey that wanders close. Feed young frogs more often and adults a few times a week, and always pick insects that are the right size, no bigger than the space between the frog's eyes. Remove any uneaten bugs so the tank stays clean.

Behaviour and handling

The tomato frog is calm and slow, spending much of its time buried or sitting still. It is a hands-off pet, because its skin is delicate and it has a special defence. When frightened, it can ooze a sticky, gummy substance from its skin that can irritate the eyes and nose, so it should not be handled except when truly needed, and hands must be washed well afterward. It should also not share a tank with fish or other pets.

The sticky defence

The tomato frog has two clever tricks to stay safe. First, it can puff up its body to look bigger and harder to swallow. Second, if a predator grabs it, its skin releases a thick, sticky white goo that gums up the attacker's mouth and can make its eyes sting. A predator that gets a mouthful of this glue usually decides the bright red frog is far too much trouble to eat.

Fun facts

• Tomato frogs are bright red or orange and really do look like ripe tomatoes.
• They live only on the island of Madagascar.
• They are land frogs that burrow into soft, damp bedding, not swimmers.
• When threatened they puff up and ooze a sticky goo that gums up a predator's mouth.
• Female tomato frogs are usually bigger and brighter than the males.

Frequently asked questions