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Entry 131Filed under Breeding

What Do Frogs Eat?

Most adult frogs eat insects and other animal prey, while tadpoles commonly feed on algae, detritus, and microscopic organisms. Diet varies by species, size, habitat, and life stage.
3-minute read By Animalso Team
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Most adult frogs are carnivores, especially insect-eaters, though larger species may also eat fish, crayfish, other amphibians, reptiles, and other animals they can swallow. Tadpoles commonly feed on algae, detritus, and microscopic organisms, while froglets generally switch to tiny live animal prey after metamorphosis.

There is no single frog diet: species, body size, habitat, and life stage all matter. Here is what frogs eat and how their diets differ.

What do adult frogs eat?

Most adult frogs are carnivores, with insects and other small invertebrates making up much of their diet. Typical prey includes:

  • Flies and mosquitoes
  • Moths and beetles
  • Crickets and grasshoppers
  • Ants and aphids
  • Spiders
  • Worms
  • Snails and other mollusks
  • Other small arthropods

Larger frogs may also eat small fish, crayfish, other amphibians, reptiles, and any suitably sized animal they can swallow. Green frogs, for example, commonly eat moths, snails, and small fish, as well as other prey when available. Animal Diversity Web: Green Frog

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A frog’s diet is usually limited by what it can capture and fit into its mouth, so large species can take a broader range of prey than small ones. Depending on the species, frogs may hunt from ambush or actively search vegetation, leaf litter, water, or burrows. Animal Diversity Web: Strecker’s Chorus Frog; Amphibian Ark husbandry manual

What do tadpoles eat?

Most tadpoles feed on small aquatic foods. Many scrape food from surfaces or filter tiny particles from the water, including:

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  • Algae and diatoms
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Tadpole diets vary by species. Some eat animal matter, including aquatic invertebrates, frog eggs, or other tadpoles. Mossy frog tadpoles, for example, prey on aquatic invertebrates and smaller tadpoles. Smithsonian’s National Zoo: Mossy Frogs

Sources: ScienceDirect: Tadpole; Smithsonian Research Repository: Tadpoles, Predation and Pond Habitats in the Tropics.

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What do froglets eat?

After metamorphosis, froglets generally switch from an aquatic larval diet to live animal prey. Because they are small, they usually eat tiny insects and other small invertebrates such as fruit flies, aphids, mites, and small larvae. As they grow, they can take larger prey. Smithsonian’s National Zoo: Lemur Leaf Frogs; New Zealand Native Frog Captive Husbandry Manual

Do frogs eat plants?

Most adult frogs do not rely on plants as their main food. After metamorphosis, they generally become predators, while tadpoles are more likely to consume algae, plant material, and detritus. Some tadpoles are omnivorous or carnivorous.

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There are exceptions among adults: the Brazilian tree frog Xenohyla truncata has been documented eating fruit, flowers, and nectar. Food Webs: “Between fruits, flowers and nectar”

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Do frogs eat other frogs?

Yes. Some larger frogs eat smaller frogs, including juveniles of their own or other species. A review documented this behavior among dozens of frog species, particularly large-bodied, generalist predators. Food Webs: Review of post-metamorphic frog-eat-frog predation

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Cannibalism can also occur among tadpoles. Cane toad tadpoles, for example, may eat eggs of their own species; some tadpoles become more predatory when food is scarce. Animal Behaviour: Cane toad tadpole cannibalism; Smithsonian Research Repository: Tadpoles, Predation and Pond Habitats in the Tropics

How do frogs catch food?

Many frogs use their vision to detect moving prey and catch it with a rapid tongue strike. Their highly adhesive tongues can wrap around insects during capture. Smithsonian Magazine: Frog tongue research

Some frogs instead grab prey directly with their mouths or leap onto it. Mossy frogs, for example, can jump on prey and push it into their mouths. Smithsonian’s National Zoo: Mossy Frogs

Common misconceptions about frog diets

Claim What is actually true
All frogs eat insects. Most adult frogs eat insects or other invertebrates, but large frogs may eat fish, amphibians, reptiles, and other animals.
All tadpoles eat algae. Algae and detritus are common foods, but some tadpoles eat animal prey, eggs, or other tadpoles.
Frogs are herbivores because tadpoles eat plants. Tadpoles and adults often have different diets; metamorphosis commonly brings a shift toward animal prey.
Frogs never eat plant material. Most adult frogs are carnivorous, but documented exceptions include fruit- and nectar-eating species.
A frog’s diet can be identified from its name. Frogs are a diverse group, and feeding habits vary substantially by species and life stage.

FAQ

Can frogs eat fruit or vegetables?

Most adult frogs do not rely on plants as their main food. A documented exception is the Brazilian tree frog Xenohyla truncata, which eats fruit, flowers, and nectar.

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Do frogs eat mosquitoes?

Yes. Mosquitoes are among the insects frogs may eat, although their diets also include many other kinds of prey.

Do tadpoles eat other tadpoles?

Some do. Tadpole diets differ by species, and some eat other tadpoles, frog eggs, or aquatic invertebrates.

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