Xenopus Frog

Xenopus Frogs, also known as African Clawed Frogs are one of the world’s most unusual amphibians.  Unlike most of the world’s other amphibians, these aquatic animals are equipped with claws.  They use these claws to tear apart large pieces of food.  Xenopus Frogs lack tongues and have sensing or sensory organs, known as lateral lines. Similar lateral lines are also found in sharks.  The lateral lines help both frogs and sharks detect vibrations and movement in the water around them.

Physical Description

Xenopus Frogs are radically different amphibians.  They have flattened bodies with triangular shaped heads.  They don’t have eyelids and their eyes are located on the tops of their heads.  This helps them to scan for prey above.  They lack tongues and webbing on their front feet.  They use their long front toes to feel for prey and vibrations in the water.  Xenopus Frogs have claws on each toe on their hind feet.  These amphibians are brownish and yellowish on their backs and whitish on their bellies.  Male frogs can grow to about 2.5 inches in length while the females can reach almost 5 inches in length. 

Family Life

Mother Xenopus Frogs release hundreds of eggs at night and leave their young to survive on their own.  The eggs hatch and grow into tadpoles.  These tadpoles are filter feeders.  This means they suck in water and gobble up tiny plants and animals within the water.  The tadpoles grow quickly and become small froglets.  Their legs sprout and their tails shrink over about a two month period.  These young frogs continue to grow during this first year of life.

Diet

Insects, fresh water shrimp, fresh water crabs, small fish, other amphibians and animal remains