African Clawed Frog
Scientific name: Xenopus laevis
Habitat: ponds, lakes, marshes, rain pools, streams, reservoirs, ditches
Diet: living/dead insects, crustaceans, small fish, tadpoles, plant matter
Life span: up to 15 years (20 years in captivity)
Young: up to 1,000 eggs/clutch
Size: 60 to 200 g (2.11-7.04 oz); females larger than males
This nocturnal frog is unique in having clawed toes. Lacking a tongue, it uses these specialized toes to stuff food into its mouth.
The African clawed frog lives in water and is unable to hop on land. They have been introduced in many areas. Biologists believe they are the origin of the spread of chytrid fungus, an infectious disease that affects amphibians worldwide. It causes sporadic deaths in some populations and 100% mortality in others. Their skin produces a type of antibiotic which may have medical uses for humans.
Learn more about this species:
These are some other websites that we think have more great information about this species.
African clawed frog on Animal Diversity Web
For More Information
Edmonton Valley Zoo
13315 Buena Vista Road (87th Avenue)
PO Box 2359
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2R7
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