Goliath Frog Facts: Size, Range, Nests and Status
The goliath frog (Conraua goliath) is the world’s largest frog. Sources give a body length of up to about 34 cm and a weight of around 3.3 kg. It lives in fast-flowing rainforest rivers of southwestern Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. Males build stone-ringed nest ponds on riverbanks. The IUCN lists the species as Endangered because of hunting and habitat loss.
The goliath frog is the heavyweight of the amphibian world. It can weigh as much as a small cat and moves rocks that weigh more than half its own body mass.
This article covers its size, range, diet, nest building and conservation status. Where sources give slightly different numbers, both are shown.
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
- The goliath frog is the largest living frog, at up to about 34 cm and 3.3 kg.
- It lives only in rainforest rivers in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
- Males likely build nests by moving stones, which is rare for African frogs.
- Tadpoles eat plants, and adults eat insects, crustaceans and other small animals.
- The IUCN lists the species as Endangered, mainly due to hunting and habitat loss.
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How big is a goliath frog?
Mongabay reports lengths of up to 34 cm (13 in), not counting the legs, and weights up to 3.3 kg (7.3 lb). Smithsonian Magazine says they can exceed 13 inches in body length and weigh up to seven pounds. The African Conservation Foundation gives up to 35 cm and 3.5 kg.
The numbers differ a little because they come from different measurements. All agree it is the largest frog in the world.
| Source | Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Mongabay (2019) | Up to 34 cm | Up to 3.3 kg |
| Smithsonian Magazine | 13+ inches | Up to 7 lb |
| African Conservation Foundation | Up to 35 cm | Up to 3.5 kg |
Where it lives
The African Conservation Foundation describes the habitat as tropical rainforest, especially around fast-flowing rivers and waterfalls. Smithsonian Magazine says the range runs from southwestern Cameroon into Equatorial Guinea.
The frog needs clean, running water in forest. That is one reason it is hard to protect when forests are cleared.
What does it eat?
The African Conservation Foundation says adults have a varied carnivorous diet, including insects, crustaceans and other small animals. Tadpoles are herbivores that feed on vegetation and algae.
The sources reviewed give no detailed prey list, so none is given here.
A frog that builds nests
A 2019 study in the Journal of Natural History, led by Marvin Schäfer, documented nest building at the Mpoula River in western Cameroon. Mongabay says the frogs build dammed ponds on sandy riverbanks and move stones that can weigh more than half their body weight.
Researchers described three nest types: existing rock pools, enlarged shallow pools with a gravel dam, and dug pools ringed with stones. Some nests were more than 1 m wide and about 10 cm deep.
Dammed ponds appeared to protect eggs better from flooding. Surveyed nests held roughly 2,700 to 3,000 eggs each.
Who builds and guards the nest?
This is not settled. Mongabay says it is unclear whether the male or the female builds the nest. A hunter reported that the male builds it and the female guards it afterward.
Smithsonian Magazine notes a camera trap recorded an adult, possibly a female, guarding a nest. Mark-Oliver Rödel suggested males do most of the heavy lifting because of their muscular hind legs.
Is the goliath frog endangered?
Yes. Both Mongabay and the African Conservation Foundation say the IUCN classifies the goliath frog as Endangered. The foundation says the population size is unknown.
Listed threats are habitat destruction from agriculture, logging and infrastructure, hunting for meat, collection for the exotic pet trade, and climate change that alters water levels and temperatures.
Can you keep a goliath frog?
The African Conservation Foundation lists poaching for the exotic pet trade as a threat. This site does not cover care for the species. If you want a pet frog, choose a captive-bred species, such as in our White’s tree frog care guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is the goliath frog?
Up to about 34 cm long and 3.3 kg, according to Mongabay. Other sources give slightly higher figures.
Where do goliath frogs live?
In rainforest rivers and streams in southwestern Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
What do goliath frogs eat?
Adults eat insects, crustaceans and other small animals. Tadpoles eat plants and algae.
Do goliath frogs build nests?
Yes. A 2019 study documented stone-ringed ponds on riverbanks in Cameroon.
Are goliath frogs endangered?
Yes. The IUCN lists them as Endangered, with hunting and habitat loss as the main threats.
Can they be kept as pets?
They are subject to poaching for the pet trade, and this site does not recommend keeping them.
Bottom Line
The goliath frog is large, rare and tied to a few rainforest rivers. The same size that makes it famous also makes it a target for hunters.
Learn about another unusual frog in our hairy frog article.
Sources
- Mongabay: World’s largest frog moves heavy rocks to build nests (2019), accessed 31 October 2026
- Smithsonian Magazine: How did the world’s largest frog get so big?, accessed 31 October 2026
- African Conservation Foundation: Goliath Frog, accessed 31 October 2026
