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309 Featured Specimen
African bullfrog

Details

African bullfrog

Pyxicephalus adspersus

Size
11–24 cm · 0.3–1.4 kg
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Sociality
Solitary
Lifespan
15–35 years

The African bullfrog is a large frog of Afrotropical savannas, grasslands, and freshwater habitats. It is a strong solitary nocturnal carnivore.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
AfrotropicalAfrotropicalAfrotropicalAfrotropical

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It uses temporary pools, wetlands, and surrounding soil in savanna and grassland. Its life cycle is closely tied to rains that create breeding water.

Appearance

Body length is about 11-24 cm and weight about 300-1400 g. A broad head, wide mouth, and heavy body are typical, with males especially large.

Behavior

It is nocturnal and solitary. During dry periods it rests underground, then emerges and gathers at water after rain.

Feeding

It is carnivorous, eating insects, small vertebrates, and other frogs. It ambushes prey and swallows it with a wide mouth.

Reproduction

Breeding occurs in temporary wet-season pools. Males are known to guard eggs and tadpoles.

Notes

Its conservation status is LC. Dormancy and explosive breeding after rain are central to its life history.