African bullfrog
| African bullfrog | |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Ranidae |
| Genus: | Pyxicephalus |
| Species: | P. adspersus |
| Binomial name | |
| Pyxicephalus adspersus Tschudi, 1838 |
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The African bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) is a species of frog in the Ranidae family. It is also known as the pixie frog due to its Latin name. It is found in Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, intermittent freshwater lakes, intermittent freshwater marshes, arable land, pastureland, and canals and ditches. This is a large frog, many weighing in over 2 kg (approx 4.4 lbs).
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[edit] Feeding & Habits
The African bullfrog is carnivorous and a voracious eater, eating insects, small rodents, reptiles, small birds and other amphibians.[citation needed] This frog is also aggressive and has been known to bite.[1] An African bullfrog kept at the Pretoria Zoo in South Africa once ate 17 baby cobras (Hemachatus haemachatus).[2] They emit a loud croaking sound.
[edit] In pet trade
The African bullfrog is an exotic pet in many countries around the world, mostly in Germany, and owning it is not prohibited by any laws. Animals sold are generally bred in captivity. In this species the male is bigger than the female.
[edit] In popular culture
Principal Pixiefrog from "My Gym Partner's a Monkey" is an African bullfrog.
[edit] References
- ^ "African Bull Frog ant crusher". YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlEzvdlYRes. Retrieved 22 December 2011.
- ^ Branch, W. R. (1976). "Two exceptional food records for the African bullfrog, Pyxicephalus adspersus (Amphibia, Anura, Ranidae)". Journal of Herpetology 10 (3): 266–268. JSTOR 1562997.
- Channing, A., Poynton, J.C., Minter, L., Howell, K. & Harrison, J. 2004. Pyxicephalus adspersus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 23 July 2007.
[edit] Related links
- The Natural History of the African Bullfrog, copyright 2002 by Terry Gampper.
- Natural History, Care and Breeding Information for African Bullfrogs / Pyxie frogs
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