Biotechnology Frog Research Project
20 Points
(project points)
Why are we keeping frogs in class?
First of all...IT IS COOL! Really we will be using the frogs as a long term research / project or study. We will
gather data and compare it within tanks and with other data found online. We will try to breed out own food for
the frogs as well. This will mimic what it takes to do animal research studies without having to actually
experiment on an animal.
The end of the year we will be studying embryology and development and breeding frogs would be a really
neat way to experience this. Hopefully we will be successful. We will also be breeding food for the frogs in
class so we can experience that as well.
What kind(s) of frogs are we going to have?
This is up to the individual groups. Groups should research what they want for a setup. You MUST get info
from more than one site prior to making decisions on what you are going to do.
Where will we get our frogs?
All frogs (and all animals) used in this project MUST be captive bread. There are a variety of sources in Ohio to
get frogs of different types. Absolutely we will not have wild caught vertebrates for the project. We can use
insects if we can guaranty that they come from areas that do not use pesticides.
What will each student be required to provide for this project?
Individual students are not required to provide anything unless they want to. We can certainly use some more
tanks both for the frogs and the breeding colonies for the food. If you do wish to buy a frog, then you get it at
the end of the year. If you don’t want the frog, then I am sure we can find someone who would like it.
Project Requirements
The research portion of the project will be done in pairs or by yourself. You will find the answers/
information to some questions/ prompts and then use this information to write and recommendation
and provide info to a class discussion to help us decide what we should do. Come up with what you
think we should do first and then we will have a class discussion as to what approach to take
Good Resources
http://www.brianstropicals.com/ (located in Columbus)
http://allaboutfrogs.org/info/
http://www.joshsfrogs.com/about-us
http://www.dartfrogconnection.com/?gclid=CLjAw7GJo7kCFepFMgodDiAAVA
Cleveland Reptile Show: http://www.freewebs.com/shrz/
Questions to ponder? (answer these questions in pairs or alone)
Get at least two sources for each question below?.
 What kinds of frogs are available as pets?
 What kind of frogs should we get? Why?
 How much space does each frog require?
 What kind of food does this frog eat?
 How would we get this food CHEAPLY?
 What are some common problems with keeping this kind of frog?
 What other kinds of frogs could we keep in the same enclosure?
 What maintenance is required for this kind of frog?
 Is it easy to get these frogs to reproduce?