African Bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus)

Common Name: African Bullfrog or Pixie Frog
Scientific Name: Pyxicephalus adspersus
Family: Pyxicephalidae
Location: South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia
Size: 9.6 inches (245 mm) for males with females being smaller

The African bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) is also called the pixie frog because of its scientific name and from the family they are in. Typical in frogs, the female is the larger sex. The females are able to hold more eggs this way. Bu for the African Bullfrog, the males are larger of the two.

The frogs spend most of the dry season underground. Once the wet season comes, the frogs emerge. The males call out to the female frogs in groups. The younger, smaller frogs are on the outside of the group and the bigger dominant frogs are in the middle. The dominant males fight in the middle of the group to breed often causing injuries or killing each other. One of the theories on why the males are larger is for these battles with other males.

Once the frogs breed, the males protect the tadpoles, attacking any animal that gets near it. If the pond where the tadpoles starts drying up, the male frog creates streams so the tadpoles can move to a different pond.

The male African bullfrog also can change sexes when there aren’t females around. It is referenced in Jurassic Park. They can also live to 45 years old which is extremely long for frogs.

African Bullfrogs are found in the pet trade. They are relatively easy pets to take care of. Remember to read my article Preparing to Buy a Pet Frog or Toad before considering buying a pet frog. African Bullfrogs are furious eaters so if you decide to buy one, you will be spending a lot of money on food from them.