Description: Male African Bullfrogs grow to a maximum size of about 10 inches, females about half of that. This is unusual because in most species it is the female that is larger. Use caution with this large, heavy frog. It has a large powerful mouth containing teeth-like odontodes in the lower jaw and can give a painful bite. They are "ambush" hunters that remain hidden until they see something move and then strike at it. Any prey that can fit in the mouth is likely to be swallowed. This is one of the largest frog species and it will eat any animal kept with it, even other Pixie Frogs. The hind feet are webbed and have a sharp tubercle used for digging. The male’s call is a deep bellow. Average life span is about 20 years. Active during the day. Very common in sub-Saharan Tropical and South Africa where they are hunted as food.

Temperature: 78° to 82°F daytime, 5° to 10°F cooler at night.

Humidity: Fairly high humidity should be provided, approximately 70 to 80% is good.

Lighting: A regular day and night cycle and full-spectrum lighting is required to provide the ultraviolet rays necessary for good health. This enables them to absorb calcium and is especially needed by young frogs.

Feeding: Voracious, will eat a large variety of foods including mealworms, crickets, earthworms, moths, roaches, beetles, young mice, other frogs, birds, fish, etc. A large adult will consume a full-grown mouse. Dust the food items occasionally with a calcium and vitamin supplement. Twice a week for young, growing frogs and no more than once a week for adults, even less often if feeding them vertebrates. Vertebrates are among the foods considered to be fattening and should be fed sparingly. Pixie frogs tend to get overweight, which is unhealthy and will shorten their lives. As the young frogs grow it is important to taper off the amount of food given. Adults do not need to be fed every day; they would only get fatter and less healthy. Three times a week is plenty for a full grown adult. You should never see a skinny Pixie frog; it would be starved or sick. Be careful when feeding them, they will easily mistake your hand for food and bite it hard!!

A clean bowl of water must be provided at all times to soak in. They tend to defecate in it so it will be necessary to change the water daily.

Habitat: These large frogs can make due with a fairly small terrarium, a 10-gallon with a fluorescent hood will suffice. We recommend that you keep each frog separate. Provide a deep, loose substrate for them to burrow into and hide. Plants, artificial or live may be dug up and moved around so be clever in the placement of rocks, etc to keep them in place. Pixie Frogs love to soak in their water dish. One that is deep enough to submerge in yet easy to get in and out of will please them.

Estivation: During the dry winter season, Pixie frogs burrow underground and can survive semi-arid conditions in this way. In the more arid regions, they estivate for much of the year. When the rainy season arrives, they emerge from their burrows ready to breed. They are not likely to hibernate in captivity unless the proper conditions are simulated correctly.

Breeding: In their natural habitat they start breeding at the beginning of the rainy season. It is difficult to breed these frogs in smaller enclosures, a green house works much better. Success can be had by first simulating a dry season and then a wet season. Breeding then takes place in a pond environment. A large female can lay as many as 4000 eggs. Male frogs will often stay in the water to defend the hatchlings until they are swimming on their own. Tadpoles metamorphosis relatively quickly and will cannibalize their siblings.

ENJOY YOUR PET LIFE FORMS, Dave & Donna