The African Bullfrog

We are so blessed to live in a country that offers the likes of many different species of frog, with the African Bullfrog being one of the most beautiful kinds with its ability to stand out from the rest.

This frog can be found in open areas of the Savanna Woodland in Eastern and Southern Africa, including rice paddies in Mozambique. Adults remain buried for most of the year, emerging only during the breeding season. 

African Bullfrogs have a short ‘whap-whap’ at irregular intervals, like the yapping of a dog. Males call while sitting in shallow water with only their head and inflated vocal sac protruding.

These frogs are quite aggressive and have been known to jump at things that threaten them. They have sharp teeth, so there bite is quite serious. The male bullfrog will also aggressively defend his eggs if an animal or human approaches them.

African Bullfrogs are carnivorous. They will feed on anything that will fit into their mouths; including insects, small rodents, reptiles, birds and amphibians.

They lay about 3000 – 4000 in shallow water. These eggs hatch about 2 days after being laid. The tadpoles are fat, heart-shaped, grey to black in colour and their eyes are very close together, situated at the top of their heads. About 18 days after hatching, the small frogs are ready to leave the water to live on dry land. After this happens, these frogs have occasionally been known to eat each other. Unfortunately, there is not a very good survival rate for these frogs; only about 20% of young adult females survive.