The Goliath frog, known as the giant slippery frog and Goliath bullfrog, is a member of the Conrauidae family.
Habitat loss and exploitation for food and pets drive its population decline in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.
It is the biggest frog in the world.
Description Of The Goliath Frog
In a sample of 15 individuals, weights ranged between 600 and 3,250 g (1.3 and 7.2 lb), and snout-vent lengths were between 17 and 32 cm (6.7 and 12.6 in).
Their eyes can be nearly 2.5 cm (1.0 in) in diameter.
The conspicuous tympanum has a diameter of around 0.5 cm (0.20 in) and is separated from the eye by about 5 cm (2.0 in) in adults.
Goliath frog eggs and tadpoles are about the same size as other frogs despite their very large adult form.
A lateral fold extends from the eye to the posterior portion of the tympanum.
Their toes are fully webbed, with large interdigital membranes extending down to the toe tips.
The second toe is the longest.
The skin on the dorsum and on top of the limbs is granular.
Dorsal coloration is green sienna, while the abdomen and ventral part of the limbs are yellow/orange.
They have acute hearing, but no vocal sac, and also lack nuptial pads.
The Goliath Frog Habitat and Distribution
The Goliath frog resides near waterfalls in Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, encountering both dry and rainy seasons.
Its substantial size leads to distinct distribution patterns within dense equatorial forests.
Notably, it is commonly found in the Sanaga Basin, particularly near the Nachtigal cascades and Sakbayeme rapids.
Additionally, it is prevalent in the Kienke and Ntem Basins, often near the Mensolo and Nsana rapids.
Moreover, in the Mbía Basin, it thrives abundantly in both rapids and cascades, underscoring its preference for water-rich habitats.
The Diet Of Goliath Frog
A study revealed that Goliath frogs have diverse diets, actively hunting both on land and in water.
Younger frogs show a preference for annelids, arachnids, myriapods, insects, crustaceans, gastropods, and reptiles.
In contrast, fully grown individuals primarily favor arachnids, myriapods, insects, crustaceans, and gastropods, with a notable preference for myriapods.
Young Goliath frogs’ varied diet hints at diverse adult preferences, possibly including fish, small mammals, and amphibians.
Reproduction of The Goliath Frog
Water plays a vital role in Goliath frog reproduction, like most amphibians.
In contrast to other frog species, they don’t produce mating calls due to the lack of a vocal sac.
Instead, egg masses usually contain hundreds to thousands of 3.5 mm (0.14 in) diameter eggs attached to aquatic vegetation.
Goliath frogs create nests by clearing pools, expanding existing ones, or digging new ones, including moving stones.
Moreover, adult Goliath frogs guard nests at night, with males likely constructing them and females protecting the eggs.
Lastly, larval development takes 85 to 95 days.
Life Cycle Of The Goliath Frog
Lamotte, Perret, and Zahl’s studies enabled the creation of a chronological table for larval development.
In the initial 24 hours, the egg mass turns yellow, and eggs become dark gray-brown, often attached to plants.
During the first month, organs remain undifferentiated, with pigmentation in the ocular region.
Their length is 8 to 10 mm (0.31–0.39 in), with slight pigmentation in the body and tail, and mostly white abdomen.
In the second month, tadpoles actively feed on leaves, showing denser pigmentation.
Spiraculum and anal tube become visible, and they develop teeth. Sizes range from 19 to 21 mm (0.75–0.83 in), increasing to 24 mm (0.94 in).
By the third month, posterior legs form, tadpoles reach about 40 mm, and posterior legs grow with distinct joints and fingers.
Tadpoles are 45 mm long, anterior legs appear, mouths become arched slot lines, tail regression begins, and tadpoles breathe by poking their heads out.
In the fourth month, all specimens complete metamorphosis, with reabsorbed or nearly absent tails.
They attain adult shape and color, measuring 35 mm (1.4 in).
The entire larval development takes about 85–95 days.
The Goliath Frog Life Span
Goliath frogs can live up to 15 years in the wild and up to 21 years in captivity.
They face predation from snakes, Nile crocodiles, Nile monitors, humans, and other predators.
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