Giant African Bullfrog Facts: Size, Range and Habits
The giant African bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) is the largest frog in southern Africa and the second largest in the world, according to the South African frog atlas. Gauteng males reach 245 mm and 1.4 kg. It lives in savanna and grassland, spends dry spells in a burrow and breeds after heavy rain. Males guard the eggs and tadpoles and dig channels to save them when pools dry.
The giant African bullfrog looks like a heavy, wide-mouthed toad, but it is a true frog with a dramatic life cycle.
This guide covers size, range, habitat, diet, breeding and conservation. It cites zoo, university and frog-atlas sources, and it notes where they differ.
How this was made: prepared with AI assistance and checked against the sources listed at the end. Images are AI-generated illustrations, not photographs of real animals or products.
Key Takeaways
- Males are far larger than females.
- The frog lives in savanna, grassland and shrubland in southern and central Africa.
- It spends dry periods in a burrow inside a skin cocoon.
- Breeding is explosive and follows heavy rain.
- Males guard eggs and tadpoles and dig channels to rescue them.
- The IUCN lists it as Least Concern, per Animal Diversity Web.
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How big is the giant African bullfrog?
The Biodiversity Development Institute (BDI) frog atlas reports Gauteng males reaching 245 mm snout-vent length and 1.4 kg. In the Eastern Cape and Free State they seldom exceed 140 mm.
The Oregon Zoo says males reach about 9 inches and females about 4 inches. Lafeber Veterinary says males reach 20 to 25 cm and females are about half that size.
Range and habitat
The Virginia Zoo lists savannas, shrublands and tropical swamps in central and southern Africa, including Angola, Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
BDI places it in grassland, savanna, Nama Karoo and thicket biomes. It breeds in seasonal, shallow, grassy pans and prefers sandy soil.
Diet and hunting
It is an ambush predator. The Oregon Zoo says it can sit for hours, partly buried with only its nose showing. BDI lists small birds, rats, snakes, lizards, insects, scorpions, crabs, slugs and other frogs as prey, and notes cannibalism at all stages.
The frog also has three large tooth-like points on the lower jaw. See our guide to African bullfrog teeth.
Life underground
Adults are fossorial. BDI says they spend dry periods in burrows 0.5 to 1 m deep and shed skin layers to form a protective cocoon.
The Oregon Zoo says the frog may spend about 10 months underground in the dry season. Animal Diversity Web says dormancy may last a year or more.
Breeding and tadpoles
BDI says the frog breeds explosively after a downpour of at least 30 mm, mating and laying within 48 hours. Females lay 3,000 to 4,000 eggs, and the tadpoles hatch after about 36 hours.
Metamorphosis takes 18 to 33 days. Territorial males guard the young and dig channels to open water when pools shrink, averaging 3 m and reaching 18.7 m. Animal Diversity Web notes that males may eat some tadpoles.
Lifespan and conservation
Lifespan figures vary by source. Animal Diversity Web cites 16.2 years in captivity, Lafeber says up to 20 years is common, and BDI cites an estimate of 45 years for one captive frog. Read more in our post on African bullfrog lifespan.
Animal Diversity Web lists the IUCN status as Least Concern. The Virginia Zoo names harvesting for food and the exotic pet trade as the main threats.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the giant African bullfrog?
Gauteng males reach 245 mm and 1.4 kg, per BDI. Females are about half the size of males.
Where does the giant African bullfrog live?
In savanna, grassland and shrubland across central and southern Africa, including Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.
Is the giant African bullfrog endangered?
Animal Diversity Web lists it as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. The Virginia Zoo names harvesting and the pet trade as threats.
How long does it stay underground?
The Oregon Zoo says about 10 months in the dry season. Animal Diversity Web says dormancy may last a year or more.
Do the males protect their young?
Yes. BDI says males guard eggs and tadpoles and dig channels to save them when pools dry.
What does it eat?
BDI lists birds, rats, snakes, lizards, insects, scorpions, crabs, slugs and other frogs. Cannibalism is documented.
Bottom Line
The giant African bullfrog is a burrowing ambush predator with a caring father. It is common enough to be rated Least Concern, but harvest and the pet trade add pressure.
For related facts, see how big African bullfrogs get.
Sources
- BDI: Giant Bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus), accessed South African frog atlas
- Animal Diversity Web: Pyxicephalus adspersus, accessed University of Michigan
- Oregon Zoo: African bullfrog, accessed Size and behaviour
- Virginia Zoo: African bullfrog, accessed Range and threats
- Lafeber Veterinary: Giant African Bullfrog, accessed Size and lifespan
- CDC: Reptiles and amphibians, accessed Salmonella advice
