African Bullfrog:

One of our assistant general managers, Julian came across a pair of African bullfrogs in our nearby watering hole at Zululand Tree Lodge. These frogs are also known as Pixie frogs due to their Latin name (Pyxicephalus adspesus), after that mouth full one can understand why Pixie frog is the preferred name.  

Assistant Gm, Julian holding an African Bullfrog 

Bullfrogs spend majority of their lives living underground, where the surface temperature can reach as high as 38°C and drop below freezing in the winter. Protected in their underground excavation chamber, they wait for more suitable environmental conditions. During this waiting period, the Pixie frog will slough off numerous layers of skins, forming a moisture resistant cocoon. It is this cocoon of dead skin cells that prevents the evaporation of body fluids.

During this time, they have the unique ability to slow down or even shut down certain bodily functions, and absorb water which they have stored in their bladder. They can remain in their cozy cocoon within their excavated tunnel for as long as a year.

Surfacing to breed once the rains have begun, as many as 4000 eggs may be laid in a shallow pool of water, after which the male will then fertilize the eggs. Once the eggs have been laid and fertilized it is the males that exhibit parental care. After a 2 day period the tadpoles will emerge from their egg casing and feed off each other and smaller fish. 

African Bullfrogs have the ability to blow themselves when threatened 

It will take the tadpoles a total of 3 weeks to metamorphosis into miniature replicas of their father. During this time the pool or puddle that they call home, may dry up; the male will then dig a small channel between the offspring and a larger pool of water, effectively ensuring their survival. The male will defend the pool as well as his tadpoles vigorously, and has the ability to puff himself up when threatened, in order to appear larger, and seem more of a threat. This parental care comes at a price, however as the male will consume many of the tadpoles while he is defending them.