What Do Frogs Eat? Whatever They Can Swallow Whole

You can find these amphibians are found all over the world, from tropical rainforests to backyard ponds. But what do frogs eat?

That’s a fantastic question because their diet depends on their species, habitat and even their life stage. Whether they live in water or on land, frogs have some of the most unique eating habits in the animal kingdom.

So, what do frogs eat in the wild versus in captivity? And how do their diets change as they grow? If you’ve ever seen a frog dart its long tongue at lightning speed, you know they have some serious hunting skills. Let’s hop right in and explore what makes frogs such efficient predators.

How Frogs Catch Their Prey

Frogs are generalist predators, which means they eat whatever they can catch.

Unlike humans, they don’t chew their food; instead, they swallow it whole. Thanks to their sticky tongues and sticky saliva, they can snatch up small insects, wild insects and even small mammals in the blink of an eye.

Some smaller frog species focus on bugs, like spiders, crickets and butterflies, while larger frogs, such as the American bullfrog, will go after birds, snakes and even other frogs. Basically, if it fits in their mouths, it’s fair game.

The Diet of Aquatic Frogs

Not all frogs live on land; some are fully aquatic or semi-aquatic, and their diet reflects their watery world. Aquatic frogs eat a variety of aquatic invertebrates, like snails, worms and even fish. Many of these frogs also feed on slugs and reptiles, depending on availability.

Since aquatic frogs spend most of their time in water, they don’t rely on their tongues as much to catch prey. Instead, they use their powerful legs to lunge at food or even suck it directly into their mouths!

What Tadpoles Eat

Before they become bug-eating machines, baby frogs — also known as tadpoles — have a completely different diet. Unlike their carnivorous adult forms, tadpoles eat algae and other plant material found in their pond environment. This helps them grow strong enough for their big transformation.

As tadpoles develop, they gradually start eating aquatic invertebrates, like tiny worms and snails, before transitioning into full-blown predators. This shift in diet is an essential part of a frog’s life cycle.

Feeding Pet Frogs

child with frog — A 2 year old child holds a large frog in his hands. RyanJLane / Getty Images

If you have a pet frog, their diet needs to mimic what they would eat in the wild.

Most pet owners feed their frogs live crickets, worms and other small prey items available at pet stores. However, they may also need vitamin supplementation to ensure they get all the necessary nutrients.

While some pet frogs can eat mice or small mammals, it’s important to research your frog’s species to provide the right food. Some frogs will eat essentially anything, but others have more specific dietary needs.

4 More Fun Frog Facts

Most frogs don’t drink water like we do. Instead, they stay hydrated by absorbing water through their skin.
Frogs have long tongues that can stretch out almost instantly to snatch up bugs and other animals.
Some frogs will even eat spiders or small reptiles, depending on what’s available in their habitat.
The American bullfrog is known for eating essentially anything it can overpower, including snakes, birds and other frogs.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.