Goliath frog

Goliath frog
	;
Conservation status
	; Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia;
Phylum:	Chordata;
Class:	Amphibia;
Order:	Anura;
Family:	Ranidae;
Genus:	Conraua;
Species:	C. goliath;
Binomial name
	Conraua goliath; (Boulenger, 1906)
	;

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The goliath frog, Conraua goliath is the largest extant anuran on Earth, and most likely the largest anuran that has ever lived.^{[citation needed]}. This has led to various hypotheses that Goliaths represent the upper limit of anuran growth. It can grow up to 13 inches (33 cm) in length from snout to vent, and weighs up to 8 lb (3 kg). This animal has a relatively small habitat range, mainly in West Africa (near Gabon). Its numbers are dwindling due to habitat destruction, its collection for consumption as food and its collection for the pet trade.

[edit] Life history

The goliath frog can live up to 15 years.Goliath frogs eat largely crabs, but will also eat insects and smaller frogs. These frogs have acute hearing but no vocal sac, and additionally lack nuptial pads.

[edit] Habitat

The goliath frog is normally found in fast-flowing rivers with sandy bottoms in the West African countries of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. These rivers are usually clear and highly oxygenated. Their actual range spans from the last 125 miles (200 km) of the Sanaga basin in Cameroon to the north to the last 30 miles (50 km) of the Benito River basin in Equatorial Guinea to the south. The river systems in which these frogs live are often found in dense, extremely humid areas with relatively high temperatures.

[edit] Reproduction

Like all amphibians the water is vital for their reproduction. The males will construct spawning and breeding areas alongside and within rivers by pushing rocks into semicircular patterns. Not much is known about the goliath frog's reproduction; however, some African scholars have started to do more research for medical reasons.

[edit] Relations with Humans

Goliath frogs were considered to be a source of food in some parts of west Africa. They were also highly exported to zoos and animal dealers to be sold as pets. Unfortunately, these frogs fail to thrive in captivity (and almost never reproduce there). Due to their classification as endangered, the Equatorial Guinean government has declared that no more than 300 goliaths may be exported out of the country per year.

[edit] References

Amiet (2004). Conraua goliath. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is endangered
Sabater-Pi, J. (1985). Contribution to the biology of the Giant Frog (Conraua goliath, Boulenger). Amphibia-Reptilia, 6(2), 143-153.