The Nashville Zoo at Grassmere - Animals

African Clawed Frog

Xenopus laevis

Range

Native to Southern Africa; there are also substantial introduced populations in California, Chile, Great Britain and many other areas of the world

Habitat

African clawed frogs are almost entirely aquatic, living in warm, stagnant grassland ponds as well as in streams in arid and semi-arid regions. This frog thrives in temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Body is flattened with a small, wedge-shaped head. Its small front limbs are not webbed, but its hind legs are large and webbed. The three inside toes on either foot have claws. It lacks a tongue and a visible ear.

Dietary Classification

Diet in the Zoo: specialized frog pellets

Diet in the Wild: arthropods

Life Span

can live 15-16 years in the wild and captive frogs can live up to 20 years

Behavior/Adaptations

This frog uses extremely sensitive fingers, an acute sense of smell, and its lateral line systems (usually found in fish to detect vibrations in the water) to locate food. It can migrate to new ponds when another dries up.

Status

Listed as a species of least concern by the IUCN. African clawed frogs have been accidentally introduced into several countries where they have thrived.

Classification

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family	Genus	Species
Animalia	Chordata	Amphibia	Anura	Pipidae	Xenopus	laevis