The average life span of a frog is between 10 to 12 years, although their exact life span varies between species. Frogs kept in captivity usually live longer than frogs in the wild.
In nature, frogs might only live for up to 6 to 10 years, while in captivity, they can survive for up to 15 years or even longer, depending on the species.
The length of the life span of a frog will depend on many conditions. The most important condition is its habitat and the spread of its predators in its habitat.
If a frog lives in a habitat with a lot of natural predators, then the length of its life will be considerably shorter. In captivity, they usually live longer.
The Lifespan of Different Frog Species
There is also a difference between how long certain species live.
If you’re considering getting a frog as a pet or you’re merely curious about how long some frogs live, here is a chart of how long frogs live that you might find helpful.
| Species | Lifespan |
|---|---|
| Common Toad (Bufo bufo) | 10-12 years |
| African Dwarf Frog (Hymenochirus) | 20 years |
| American Green Tree Frog (Hyla cinerea) | 6 years |
| Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) | 2-4 years |
| Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) | 3-6 years |
| American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) | 7-9 years |
| American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) | 1-2 years in the wild, 10 years in captivity |
| Gray Treefrog (Dryophytes versicolor) | 7-9 years |
| Cane Toad (Rhinella marina) | 10-15 years |
| Goliath Frog (Conraua goliath) | 20-25 years |
| Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea) | 10-15 years |
| Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) | 3-4 years |
| Pacific Tree Frog (Pseudacris regilla) | 3 years |
| Fowler’s Toad (Anaxyrus fowleri) | 5 years |
As you can see, most frogs live between 5-10 years in the wild. These numbers are estimates and for most frogs, these estimates are valid for living in the wild. If they are kept as pets, their lifespans would likely be longer.
What is the Longest Living Frog?
The longest living frog species is the goliath frog which lives near the fast-flowing rivers of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. These frogs can live for up to 21 years in the wild, despite the presence of many predators.
But despite its long life span, the goliath frog is an endangered species, according to IUCN 2004. This frog is not only hunted by other animals, but also by human local communities looking for food sources.
The extent of this hunting is vast, and it has affected the populations of goliath frogs in the wild.
Along with humans, goliath frogs get preyed on by snakes, Nile crocodiles, Nile monitors, and other predators. But they are good at hiding in the rivers, which keeps them away from danger.
Additionally, they are often collected for pet trading, which is only diminishing the numbers of these frogs in the wild.
Otherwise, the longest living frog ever discovered was found in New Zealand by local scientists, and it was 37 years old when it was discovered. It is a Maud Island frog, and they nicknamed it Wellington.
The reason why Wellington (and other members of the same species) were able to survive for so long is that they keep themselves in their habitat the whole time.
They would never move more than a few meters away from their habitat, which means that they won’t be exposed to the same dangers as other frogs.
Related Article: Why Do Frogs Croak at Night?
How Long Do Frogs Live as Pets?
As pets, most frogs live between 10 and 20 years, although there are some differences in their life spans, depending on various factors including genetics, species, and the environment they are kept in.
The most important factors that determine the life span of a pet frog include:
- Genetics
- Species
- Quality of life
- The environment they live in
- Level of care
- Gender
Most captive frogs live between 10 and 20 years, but there have been some reports of frogs living for 30 years and longer.
For example, the cane toad has been known for surviving for up to 24 years as a pet, while the average American bullfrog will survive for up to 15 years, so it also depends on the species.
There is also no hard and fast rule about how long a frog should live. A lot of it, as with many other animals, comes down to genetics and the overall health of the frog.
For some species, female frogs live longer than females, but the differences are not that big nonetheless.
If you want to make sure that your pet frog lives for as long as possible, then you can help it achieve longer life spans with some quality of life improvements.
Make sure it gets the right habitat and that you meet its requirements when it comes to water and its quality. Also, buy higher quality food sources, which will help you keep your frog healthier.
Related Article: Do Frogs Eat Mice?
Do Pet Frogs Live Longer Than Wild Frogs?
Frogs will live longer as pets than they do in the wild because they don’t have natural predators. Some frogs can live for up to 20 years in captivity, while others will only live for 10-15 years.
The lifespan of a frog in captivity will depend on several factors, too. Some frog species live longer than others, but it’s also important to note that you won’t be able to change the lifespan of a frog through good care only.
The lifespan is also genetically conditioned, so in some cases, you can’t extend the lifespan of a frog.
The main reason why frogs live longer in captivity than they do in the wild is that they don’t have natural predators in captivity.
In the wild, they are under constant threat because of the presence of many predators, so adult frogs will not reach a long lifespan unless they find themselves in good habitats to live in.
Another key factor is the presence of high-quality food and good living conditions. If you provide your frog with both of those two, then you’re going to see your pet frog live for much longer than in captivity.
Conclusion
Most frogs live between 10-12 years, although the age of a frog will depend on the species. Some species are longer-lasting than others, but it will also depend on other factors, such as the presence of predators, quality of life, and genetics.
Stuart is the editor of Fauna Facts. He edits our writers’ work as well as contributing his own content. Stuart is passionate about sustainable farming and animal welfare and has written extensively on cows and geese for the site.