Characteristics , Housing , Diet , and Other Information
African bullfrogs , also bang as pixie or pixy frogs , areone of the largest toad species . They are native to Africa but found in household around the world . They ’re mainly an olive green color with a calorie-free paunch and orange around the limbs . African bullfrogs have earned a reputation for being cantankerous , so if you want a ducky you may handle and play with , this probably is n’t the option for you . However , they are entertaining to watch and expert for people new to keeping batrachian , as their care is relatively well-to-do .
Learn all about what it exact to care for an African bullfrog .
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Breed Overview
Common Names : African Rana catesbeiana , pixie frog , pyxie frog
Scientific Name : Pyxicephalus adspersus
Adult Size : Males are 10 inches long and 4 pounds or more ; females are 6 inches long and around 2 pounds
Life Span:20 twelvemonth in the wild ; up to 40 years in immurement
African Bullfrog Behavior and Temperament
African bullfrogs are only middling active , but they can be fun to watch in their tank . Overall , they ’re broadly easygoing , low - maintenance animals . wait to feed them roughly every other day and houseclean their tank car once or twice a week .
Males should n’t be put up together , as they can be aggressive and territorial . Male bullfrog also will guard their tadpoles and protect them to help them survive . However , they will sometimes consume their tadpoles .
Some African bullfrogs will abide a moment of treat for short periods . But you must utilise circumspection when holding them to protect their delicate cutis . Plus , they can well use their powerful legs to recoil out of your hands and potentially injure themselves .
Moreover , these frogs have piercing teeth ( they ’re one of the only frog species who have teeth ) , and have been know to prick humans who are handling them . They ’ll typically croak forte to let you know when they ’re feeling stressed . But if you respect their boundaries , you should have a laid - back pet .
Housing the African Bullfrog
Pet frogsare fairly simple to care for , but you must assure that your habitat is set up correctly . The big your batrachian , the large your armoured combat vehicle needs to be . A medium - size African Rana catesbeiana should have at least a 10 - gal tank ; braggart is better . In most species , manly frogs are smaller than females , but male African bullfrogs are large than females . Also , these frogs should live alone because of their tendency for cannibalism .
you’re able to use low , smooth rock music for the bottom of the tank . fulfill it about a third of the path with dechlorinated water system , and then use progressively large Harlan Stone to make up one side of the tank to make a beach . This will give your frog something to easily climb onto , and will allow them some meter out of the water when they want to dry off .
A container of stain can also be provide in the outcome your bullfrog need to burrow . In the wild , African bullfrogs burrow their entire body into the dirt and hibernate for up to two long time to escape the juiceless season . In captivity , though , we can control the temperature and humidity that our frogs exist in , make it unnecessary for them to hole up .
Tank cleaning should occur one to two times per workweek , or more often , to keep the water impudent .
Heat
A way that does n’t drop below 75 F should be appropriate for your bullfrog . If you find the frog is n’t very active or is n’t eating much , seek increase the temperature .
Simplewater heatersdesigned for fish armoured combat vehicle and high temperature lights made for reptiles can be utilize to create an ideal environment for your African bullfrog .
Light
African bullfrogs require a cycle of around 12 hours of light and 12 time of day of dark each day . Keep them out of direct sunshine . A UVB ignitor is n’t all-important , but it ’s often recommend to boost nutrient absorption .
Humidity
Humidity is very important when care for amphibian due to the nature of their skin . bullfrog require a damp tank and plenty of water to float in .
The humidness story should be around 80 % to 90 % , which you may monitor using a hygrometer . If you postulate to raise the tank ’s humidness degree , mist over the inside with clean piss a few clock time a day .
Substrate
Substrate is the cloth that lines the bottom of your Rana catesbeiana ’s inclosure . It helps to maintain humidity in the environment , and it can make the armored combat vehicle feel more like the animal ’s rude environment .
Coco roughage , made from coconut husks , is a good option for substratum . Peat moss is another choice . The ideal is an organic Cartesian product that retains some heat and moisture .
Avoid using any land that has been treated with insecticides or other chemicals . Be sure it ’s clean , and change it often .
African bullfrogs are known to eat the substratum in their cages , so any material lining the enclosure should be well digestible and safe for them .
Food and Water
These large Gaul are quite the carnivores . They deplete essentially whatever they can fit in their mouths , such as worm , other frogs , and modest rodents or birds .
A goodly Rana catesbeiana diet consist of foods like :
There are also nutrient to avoid feeding your African Rana catesbeiana , such as :
new bullfrogs generally eat daily or every other Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , and adult have meal two to three times per hebdomad . Place the food in a shallow sweetheart or on a savourless rock . Consult your veterinary for how much to feed at each meal ground on your Gaul ’s long time and sizing .
It ’s best to change what ’s on the menu at each feeding for a wide-ranging diet that mime what they would get in the wild . Also , avoid overfeed these ravenous eaters .
Finally , you may extend a shallow water dish in increase to the tank water if you wish .
Common Health and Behavior Problems
Although African bullfrogs live for many years , they do n’t want much in the elbow room of health tending . Nevertheless , they can be susceptible to the following :
Choosing Your African Bullfrog
adopt your African bullfrog from a reputable stock breeder or saving organization . front for reptile and amphibious chemical group online or confab your local pet shop for recommendations . Expect to pay around $ 25 to $ 75 .
A salubrious African Rana catesbeiana will have the typical olive green skin without any abnormal bumps or wound , as well as absolved eyes . Cloudy eyes can point disease .
Male farm to be much larger than females , so if you prefer a smaller frog , you might need to choose a female . But do n’t expect a bantam , teachable ducky ; the female are just as voracious and raw to being handled as the males .
Similar Species to African Bullfrogs
If you ’re interested in exchangeable positron emission tomography , check out :
Otherwise , suss out outother types of reptiles and amphibiansthat can be your new darling .
Because African bullfrog are so large and heavy , they ’re not always fast mover . This realise run a challenge .
Depending on handiness and your positioning , African Rana catesbeiana cost anywhere from $ 25 to $ 75 .
Males by and large have a yellow or orange - hued throat ; females have a cream - colored throat .
No , African Rana catesbeiana are not venomous . But they can bite if they feel threatened .
