Goliath frog

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Goliath frog
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Family: Ranidae Genus: Conraua Species: C. goliath
Binomial name
Conraua goliath (Boulenger, 1906)

The goliath frog, Conraua goliath, can grow up to 13 inches (33 cm) in length from snout to vent, and weighs up to 8 lb^{[citation needed]} (3 kg). It is the largest extant anuran on Earth.^{[citation needed]} This animal has a relatively small habitat range, mainly in West Africa (near Gabon). Its numbers are dwindling due to habitat destruction and collection for the pet trade.

Contents 1 Life history 1.1 Habitat 2 Reproduction 3 Relations with humans 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Life history

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The goliath frog can live up to 15 years.goliath frogs eat scorpions insects and smaller frogs. These frogs have acute hearing but no vocal sac.

[edit] Habitat

The goliath frog is normally found in fast flowing rivers with sandy bottoms in the West African countries of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. These rivers are usually clean and highly oxygenated. Their actual range spans from the last 125 miles (200 km) of the Sanaga basin in Cameroon to the north to the last 30 miles (50 km) of the Benito river basin in Equatorial Guinea to the south. The river systems in which these frogs live are often found in dense, extremely humid areas with relatively high temperatures.

[edit] Reproduction

Not much is known about the goliath frog's reproduction; however, some African scholars have started to do more research on the giant for medical reasons.

[edit] Relations with humans

Goliath frogs were considered to be a source of food in some parts of west Africa. They were also highly exported to zoos and animal dealers to be sold as pets. Unfortunately, these frogs fail to thrive in captivity, and almost never reproduce. Due to their classification as 'endangered', the Equatorial Guinean government has declared that no more than 300 goliaths may be exported out of the country per year. Fortunately for the frogs, even the most experienced of animal collectors can usually find no more than a dozen per trip.

[edit] References

• Amiet (2004). Conraua goliath. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes a range map and justification for why this species is endangered

[edit] External links

• Goliath frog at the Encyclopedia of Life

v • d • e Chordata – Amphibia – Families of Anura Allophrynidae – Amphignathodontidae – Arthroleptidae – Ascaphidae – Bombinatoridae – Brachycephalidae – Bufonidae – Centrolenidae – Dendrobatidae – Discoglossidae – Heleophrynidae – Hemisotidae – Hylidae – Hyperoliidae – Leiopelmatidae – Leptodactylidae – Mantellidae – Megophryidae – Microhylidae – Myobatrachidae – Nasikabatrachidae – Pelobatidae – Pelodytidae – Pipidae – Ranidae – Rhacophoridae – Rhinodermatidae – Rhinophrynidae – Scaphiopodidae – Sooglossidae