Goliath frog
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| iGoliath frog | ||||||||||||||
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| Conraua goliath (Boulenger, 1906) |
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The Goliath frog, an African frog of genus Conraua, can grow up to 13 inches in length from head to outstretched feet, and weighs up to 7 lb (3 kg). It is the largest frog on earth and is renowned for its incredible leaping ability, leaping up to 10 feet (3 m) in one bound. However, it is usually exhausted after two or three of these leaps. This animal has a relatively small habitat range, mainly in West Africa. Its numbers are dwindling due to habitat destruction and collection for the pet trade.
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[edit] Lifespan
The Goliath frog can live up to the age of 15 years.
[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 clean 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
The mating season for Goliath frogs takes place between July and August. Several hundred eggs are included in each egg mass, which are attached to plants growing on the bottom of the river. Once the eggs have hatched, tadpoles develop over the next 85 to 95 days. While the tadpoles are developing, they feed mainly on one specific plant subspecies, Dicraea warmingii warmingii. Oddly, the eggs and larvae are no larger than the eggs of frogs that are much smaller than the adult Goliath.
[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 capitivity, and almost never reproduce. 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. Fortunately for the frogs, even the most experienced of animal collectors can usually find no more than a dozen per trip.
[edit] Other information
- The Goliath frog's second toe is its longest.
- The Goliath frog will play dead when provoked
- The Goliath frog tadpoles grow faster than any animal for 30 days in the middle of the cycle to become frogs.
[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
