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293 Featured Specimen
Goliath frog

Details

Goliath frog

Conraua goliath

Size
17–32 cm · 0.6–3.3 kg
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Nocturnal
Sociality
Solitary
Lifespan
4-15 years

The goliath frog is a giant frog of Afrotropical forest rivers. It is a solitary nocturnal carnivore and one of the largest living frogs.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
AfrotropicalAfrotropicalAfrotropicalAfrotropical

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

Details

Habitat

It lives around clear flowing rivers, rapids, and waterfalls within forest. Shallow waterside sites are important for breeding.

Appearance

Body length is about 17-32 cm and weight about 0.6-3.3 kg. A massive body, strong hind legs, and large eardrums are typical.

Behavior

It is nocturnal and solitary. It waits near water and escapes with powerful leaps into the river when disturbed.

Feeding

It is carnivorous, eating insects, crustaceans, and small vertebrates. Its large mouth lets it take varied waterside prey.

Reproduction

Adults are known to prepare shallow nesting sites along water. Eggs hatch into tadpoles that develop in river habitats.

Notes

Its conservation status is EN. River change and collection pressure make protection of both forest and stream systems essential.