Chubby Frog

Asian Painted Bullfrog
Ox Frog
Painted Frog
Malaysian Narrow-Mouthed Toad
Bubble Frog

Kaloula pulchra  

Description

Chubby frogs are members of the Microhylidae family, commonly referred to as narrow mouthed toads. Chubby frogs have plump bodies with comparatively small heads and short limbs. They are brown to dark brown with wide longitudinal stripes of mustard-yellow, beige, tan or strawberry-pink. They are severally referred to as bull or ox frogs due to their loud call, which sound like a much larger animal. When they feel threatened they inflate or “balloon” up to fend off predators. Chubby frogs grow to be almost 3.5 inches (9 centimeters) in length, but 2.5-3 inches (6-8 centimeters) is more common. They can live 10 years or more.

Natural Habitat

Chubby frogs are terrestrial/fossorial frogs found extensively throughout Southeast Asia. They are found in Bangladesh, China, southern and eastern India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Within this range they thrive under almost any conditions that provide adequate moisture and food. They prefer to be buried partially, and are generally found where the terrain allows this sort of behavior. During the rainy season they are more likely to be encountered out walking around. They can be found in urban areas such as parks and gardens and are commonly found around or even in human habitations.

Artificial Habitat

Chubby frogs are fairly sedentary, preferring instead to remain put and wait for something to come to them. As such, they do not need really large enclosures, and a 10-gallon aquarium is adequate for 1-2 chubby frogs. Most importantly, the frogs should be provided with a substrate into which they can burrow. Generally they will not bury themselves completely, but rather will dig down until they are essentially even with the terrain. Recommended substrate materials are soil, peat, mulch, orchid bark, cork bark, sphagnum moss. A mixture of these should be used so as to provide a moist, relatively smooth, soft permeable substrate. The substrate should be 2-3 inches (5-8 centimeters) deep and should retain moisture. Cork bark, leaf litter, small logs and rocks can be used to provide hiding spaces but should be secured so as to not crush the frog(s). A large diameter, shallow water dish (no deeper than the height of the frog’s head at rest) should be provided. Plastic or terra cotta plant drainage pans work well for this. Moderate humidity levels (50-60%) should be maintained, but provided the substrate is damp, humidity levels are less crucial. Temperatures should be in the 70-75 degree Fahrenheit range, but in most cases, ambient temperatures (those that are comfortable for humans) are fine. Being a tropical species, they do not do well in the cold (less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit).

Diet

Chubby frogs are voracious eaters, but despite their rotundity, prefer smaller prey items due to their narrower mouth. One of their favorite foods is termites, but they also like small crickets, flies, red worms, mealworms, wax worms, and small roaches. As always, prey items should be gut-loaded prior to feeding and should be dusted with a vitamin/mineral supplement once or twice a week.

Caveats

Chubby frogs can be noisy, but this is not common. Chubby frogs do not do well if handled frequently. They also exude a sticky substance from their abdominal glands that can be irritating (if for no other reason than it is hard to get off). Care should be taken to wash your hands both before (for the frog’s benefit) and after (for your benefit) handling your frog.