Full Grown Tomato Frog: Size, Appearance, Price & More

Elizabeth Craig

Dec 7, 2023

The tomato frog, also known as the dyscophus antongilii, is a small, colorful frog species native to Madagascar. As one of the smallest frog species in the world, the tomato frog undergoes some dramatic changes as it grows into a full adult.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the size, appearance, care needs and more of a fully grown tomato frog.

Size of a Full Grown Tomato Frog

At full size, tomato frogs reach a maximum length of only 1-1.5 inches (25-38 mm). Their bodies are squat and small. In terms of height, fully matured tomato frogs are about 0.5-0.75 inches (13-19 mm) tall from head to rump.

So in summary, the size dimensions of a fully grown tomato frog are:

Length: 1-1.5 inches (25-38 mm)
Height: 0.5-0.75 inches (13-19 mm)

Despite their tiny stature, tomato frogs have big personalities packed into their small bodies.

Weight of a Full Grown Tomato Frog

On average, an adult tomato frog will weigh approximately 0.2-0.4 ounces (5-11 grams). Their weight remains low due to their compact size. However, a well-fed and healthy adult tomato frog could potentially push the higher end of the weight range.

Appearance of a Full Grown Tomato Frog

The bright coloring and patterns of baby and juvenile tomato frogs fade as they mature into adulthood. Fully grown tomato frogs take on a bold appearance with vivid scarlet, orange and yellow hues.

Their small, round bodies are covered in irregular dark blotches or flecks against the vivid backdrop. The colors do not necessarily match evenly on each individual frog. Some other notable appearance traits of adult tomato frogs include:

Small triangular head
Bulging gold or brown eyes
Short legs and small toe pads
Vertical pupil in each eye

The brilliant coloring acts as a warning to potential predators, signifying that tomato frogs secrete toxins from their skin as a defense mechanism. Those bold hues stand out even on the diminutive bodies of full-sized tomato frogs.

Personality of a Full Grown Tomato Frog

Despite their tiny size, tomato frogs have fiesty little personalities. As juveniles, they are often shy and timid. However, once reaching full maturity, tomato frogs take on confident and bold tendencies.

Fully grown tomato frogs are very alert and have a tendency to chase or nip at potential threats like fingers or other animals that get too close. Their bite is not poisonous but can surprise with its strength for such a miniature creature.

Adult tomato frogs also display territorial behavior and will croak or snap aggressively if feeling threatened.

In general, a fully mature tomato frog has a sassy, fearless personality packed into its petite body. Do not let their diminutive size fool you - these frogs have plenty of spunk and spirit.

Price of a Full Grown Tomato Frog

Due to their vibrant coloring, small size and unique care needs, tomato frogs command a high price on the exotic pet market. Here are some general pricing points for fully grown tomato frogs:

Single adult frog - $30-50 USD each
Pair of adult frogs - $50-80 USD
Trio of adult frogs - $80-120 USD

Prices will vary based on availability, age, health and how they are purchased (single, pair, trio). Reputable breeders may charge higher rates than other sources. Plan to pay $100-150 USD or more for a starter group of two properly sexed adult tomato frogs.

Food and Feeding of a Full Grown Tomato Frog

Fully grown tomato frogs have specific dietary needs to meet their high metabolism and energy requirements. Adult tomato frogs should be fed the following:

Cultured fruit flies ( Hydei or Melanogaster fruit flies) - Feed 6-10 fruit flies daily
Pinhead crickets - Feed 2-3 pinhead crickets 2-3 times weekly
Occasional feedings of beetle or roach larvae are acceptable

Provide a small food dish or deli cup of insects within their enclosure 1-2 times per day. Remove any uneaten food after 30 minutes to avoid mold growth. Fresh water should also be available at all times.

Lifespan of a Full Grown Tomato Frog

Sadly, tomato frogs do not live for an exceptionally long time as fully mature pets. Their typical lifespan is estimated to be:

Average lifespan in captivity: 2-4 years
Maximum recorded lifespan: 6-8 years

With exceptional care in an optimal environment, some tomato frogs may potentially reach 6-8 years of age. However, 2-4 years is a more realistic average lifespan expectancy for a pet tomato frog to live as a fully grown adult.

Health of a Full Grown Tomato Frog

Here are some signs of a healthy fully grown tomato frog to look out for:

Bright, vibrant colors without dullness
Smooth, moist skin without blemishes
Normal activity level and response to motion
Clear eyes and secretions without discharge
Healthy appetite and food consumption
Normal trips to the bathroom 1-2 times weekly

Take note of any lethargy, changes in behavior, new lumps/bumps, loss of appetite or other health issues that require veterinary attention for an adult tomato frog.

Care and Nutrition for a Full Grown Tomato Frog

Adult tomato frogs continue to need significant care attention and specialized husbandry even after maturity. Here are some care best practices:

Enclosure

Glass terrarium enclosure minimum 10 gallons in size
Substrate of moist sphagnum moss, clay chips or soil substrate
Various climbing vines, leaves and hiding spots
Humidity maintained at 70-80% with daily misting

Temperature and Lighting

Temperature range: 75-80°F (24-27°C) during day
Drop to 70-75°F (21-24°C) at night
UVB and heat lighting on a 12-hour daily cycle

Nutrition and Supplements

Feed cultured fruit flies and pinhead crickets as protein
Calcium and vitamin supplements 1-2 times weekly
Fresh water available at all times

Handling and Interaction

Tomato frogs are small and fragile - use only light handling for short periods when fully mature.

Costs of Owning a Fully Grown Tomato Frog

Here is a breakdown of average monthly and yearly costs involved with caring for a fully grown tomato frog as a pet:

Initial Setup Costs:

Large glass terrarium - $100-200
Substrate, vines, décor - $50-100
Heating/lighting equipment - $50-100
1 tomato frog (minimum) - $30-50
Total: $230-450

Monthly Supply and Maintenance Costs:

Calcium supplement - $5-10
Vitamin powder - $5-10
Cultured fruit flies - $10-15
Pinhead crickets - $5-10
Substrate replacement - $5-10
Electricity for equipment - $5-10
Estimated monthly total: $35-75

Taking good care of an adult tomato frog on an annual basis averages between $420-900 per year when including initial setup costs.

Behavioral Changes in a Fully Grown Tomato Frog

Juvenile tomato frogs exhibit shy, timid tendencies as they develop. However, once reaching full maturity, their behavior transforms noticeably.

Some key differences in behavioral patterns between juvenile and fully grown adult tomato frogs include:

More bold, active exploring of enclosure space
Increased territorial behavior and defense of space
Louder, more frequent mating calls from male frogs
Aggressive biting/nipping if feeling threatened
Less toleration of frequent handling by humans

Carefully consider your frog's comfort level before interacting with a feisty mature adult. Their body language and behavior will signal confident and independent tendencies compared to juvenile frogs.

Notable Characteristics of a Fully Grown Tomato Frog

While small, tomato frogs have a big personality packed into their tiny bodies once reaching full maturity.

Some other remarkable traits that set fully grown tomato frogs apart include:

Bright warning colors acting as a natural defense
Vertical pupils allowing wide vision range
Potent skin secretions for further protection
High metabolism requiring abundant nutrition
Loud, distinctive mating calls from males
Ability to leap great distances proportionate to size
Preference for arboreal habitats instead of ground

The feisty, flamboyant spirit of an adult tomato frog makes them highly entertaining exotic pets. Just be sure to provide proper respect and care for these diminutive dynamos.

Conclusion

While tomato frogs remain tiny creatures their entire lives, they undergo noticeable changes in size, appearance and behavior upon reaching full maturity. With specialized care and an enriched environment, adult tomato frogs can thrive for several years providing delightful observation.

If considering this unique species, be prepared to invest in substantial setup costs and dedicated daily husbandry. Their miniature stature belies big personalities packed inside - never underestimate the spunky spirit of a fully grown tomato frog!