The goliath frog is a silent giant on the verge of extinction

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:44

The goliath frog belongs to the class of amphibians, the order of amphibians. It lives only in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea (Africa). It fully justifies its name, since its weight can reach 3.5 kg (and according to some sources up to 6 kg), and the body length can reach up to 32 cm, excluding paws. This frog is the largest known to date.

Outwardly similar to an ordinary frog. Females are larger than males. The color of the skin on the back and head is greenish-brown, and the abdomen and paws on the inside are yellowish or cream. The skin on the back is wrinkled. Her paws are larger than a man's palm. This frog does not make any sounds, as there is no vocal sac in its throat. Those lucky enough to hold it in their hands say it feels like holding a rubber ball filled with wet sand.

The goliath frog lives only in the purest water, enriched with oxygen, unlike its relatives, which can live in swamps. Full-flowing tropical rivers with waterfalls meet these criteria. It is also demanding on the temperature of the water in the reservoir, it needs it not to fall below 22 ⁰С. Humidity on land needs high. Too sunlit places she does notfavors, prefers shaded areas. Here is such a picky goliath frog. The photo shows it well.

Adults are very cautious, even shy, it is not easy to catch them. They have excellent eyesight, the territory is viewed at 40 m, noticing any changes. For most of the day, the goliath frog sits quietly in its favorite place near the waterfall. In any danger, she jumps into a turbulent water stream. Under water can be up to 15 minutes, hiding on the river bottom among the stones.

After the time expires, the goliath frog floats up, but does not show itself in its entirety, only the eyes and the tip of the nose peep out of the water. If she considers that the danger has passed, then with a few jerky movements she reaches the shore and gets out of the water. Jumping on land, it climbs onto ledges of stones or settles down just below the waterfall. Takes a pose convenient for the next jump, which will be made in case of danger or when prey is detected.

The goliath frog feeds on various insects and their larvae, worms, crustaceans, small amphibians, etc. Grabbing the prey with its jaws and tongue, it first squeezes it, and then swallows it without biting it.

Goliath is a frog that breeds during the dry season. The female lays about 10 thousand eggs in 5-6 days. Each egg in diameter reaches 0.6 cm. The transformation of an egg into an adult occurs in 70 days. Hatching from an egg, the tadpole is only 0.8 cm; at 45 days of age, its body length reaches 4.8 cm. At this time,turning a tadpole into a frog by dropping its tail.

Today, the goliath frog is on the verge of extinction. This is due to the fact that the local population willingly eats goliath frogs. Restaurants are willing to pay $5 for each large individual. They are said to have a sweetish taste. Forests, in the depths of which the frog lives on the banks of rivers, are cut down. In addition, goliaths are exported abroad, depriving them of their familiar environment, they are sold to various zoos in the world and to private collectors. Somehow in the USA they tried to breed goliaths in captivity, but the plan failed, since it turned out to be problematic to reproduce the conditions required for their life.