Details
Ceratophrys ornata
The Argentine horned frog is a round-bodied frog of Neotropical grassland and freshwater habitats. It is a solitary nocturnal ambush carnivore.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses South American grasslands, damp lowlands, and pool margins. During dry periods it may burrow, becoming active with rain.
Body length is about 9-16 cm and weight about 200-480 g. A huge mouth, horn-like projections over the eyes, and green-brown patterning are typical.
It is nocturnal and solitary. Partly buried, it waits motionless and snaps at animals that come within reach.
It is carnivorous, eating insects, smaller amphibians, and small vertebrates. It takes a wide range of prey it can fit in its mouth.
Breeding occurs in temporary waters during wet periods. Tadpoles develop in water and later metamorphose onto land.
Its conservation status is NT. Changes to grassland and wetland habitats may affect local populations.
