African Bullfrogアフリカウシガエル

Pyxicephalus adspersusLC— Least Concern

The African bullfrog is one of the largest frog species in the world, native to the savannas and seasonal wetlands of southern and eastern Africa. An aggressive, opportunistic predator, it will eat almost anything it can overpower, including other frogs, small reptiles, birds, and mammals. To survive long dry seasons it burrows underground and forms a protective cocoon around its body, emerging explosively to breed after heavy rains, and breeding males are known to fiercely guard their tadpoles and even dig canals to keep drying pools supplied with water.

African Bullfrog (reference photo)
Photo: Steven G. Johnson / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Anura / Pyxicephalidae Source
Distribution
Found across the savannas and grasslands of southern and eastern Africa, including Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Source

Did You Know?

  • During dry periods it burrows into mud and forms a cocoon covering its entire body except the nostrils, emerging only once rain softens the cocoon. Source
  • Breeding males actively guard their tadpoles and, if a breeding pool starts to dry up, will dig canals to channel water in from another source. Source
  • It ranks as the sixth-largest living frog species, and one individual at Pretoria Zoo was recorded consuming 17 juvenile snakes. Source

Where to See This Species

2 facilities · 0 individuals

ノースサファリサッポロ (Nosusafarisapporo)Hokkaido

ノースサファリサッポロのWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical GardensAichiOpened in 1937

名古屋市東山動物園のWikipedia記事に飼育種として記載 Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNではLC(低懸念)です。雨季に利用する水場の維持が重要です。

Habitat

サバンナ、草原、季節的にできる浅い水場。

Threats

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

How big does an African bullfrog get?
Males can reach up to 24.5 cm in length and weigh as much as 1.4 kg, making it the sixth-largest frog species in the world; females are considerably smaller. Source
How does the African bullfrog survive the dry season?
It burrows into mud and secretes a cocoon that covers its entire body except the nostrils, remaining dormant until rainfall softens the cocoon and triggers it to emerge. Source
Do male African bullfrogs protect their young?
Yes—males guard tadpoles from predators after breeding, and if a pool begins drying up, they will dig canals to channel in water from another source to keep the tadpoles alive. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org