ANIMAL: African Bullfrog Pyxicephalus asperses Type of Animal: Frog Habitat: Savanna, shrubland, grassland, temporary ponds, marshes, temporary ditches, semidesert, desert, freshwater lakes, tropical swamps, arable land, pastureland, flooded ditches, canals, high veld, temporary floodplains, rapidly drying puddles, farmland, lowlands Location(s): E & Southern Africa Appearance: Very large heavy-bodied frog, olive green w/ dark mottling, males larger than females, males have bright yellow to orange throats, females have cream-colored throats, broad head, wide mouth, juveniles brighter than adults often w/ yellow stripe Food/Diet: Insects, insect larvae, spiders, worms, other frogs (including smaller members of own species), birds, small mammals, fish, lizards, snakes, baby crocodiles, crayfish, baby turtles Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Breeding in zoos, aquariums, & herpetoculture Lifestyle: Solitary, though males gather in breeding arenas (leks) in which each male defends small territorial patch. Additional Info: Called: Male Female Young: Tadpole Group: Army Weight: Male: 2-4 lbs Female: 1-2 lbs Gestation: 2 days Life Span: 15-20 years in wild, 25-40 years in captivity Body Length: Male: 9.5 in Female: 4.5 in Main predators are raptors, monitor lizards, snakes, herons, storks, crocodiles, larger African bullfrogs, & carnivorous/omnivorous mammals. Africa’s 2nd largest frog. Lek fights between males sometimes result in death. Clutches range from 1,600-4,000 eggs. Males may guard multiple clutches but prioritize newest clutch. Males often eat some of their young. After 1-2 days, eggs hatch into tadpoles. Tadpole stage lasts 2.5 weeks when they metamorphose into froglets. Froglets then become juveniles at around 9 months old. Maturity reached at around 1.5 years old. Males make loud booming calls during breeding season. Fun Fact(s): During periods of drought, these frogs can remain underground for up to 2 years. They do this by creating cocoon around body made of multiple layers of shed skin/mucus. Also called Pixie Frogs & South African Burrowing Frogs. These frogs have sharp teeth and may bite to defend themselves or as a feeding response.
