One of the largest frogs on Earth and a true heavyweight of the amphibian world. Its round, bulky body, wide mouth, and powerful legs make it look more like a little amphibian tank than a frog. Unlike the delicate tree frogs or the tiny puddle frogs, the African bullfrog is bold, tough, and built for survival in Africa’s challenging environments.
One of the most striking things about the African bullfrog is its fearless appetite. These frogs are voracious eaters and will swallow almost anything that fits into their wide mouths, including insects, birds, lizards, snakes, other frogs, and even small mammals. They are sit-and-wait hunters, staying still until prey wanders close before lunging forward with surprising speed. Their strong jaws and sharp ridges inside the mouth make them powerful predators—so much so that they can even bite humans hard enough to draw blood if provoked. Because of this, they’re sometimes jokingly called “the lions of the frog world.”
Many species lay their eggs and leave in the amphibian world, but male bullfrogs stick around to protect their young. They guard eggs fiercely and will even dig little channels in drying ponds with their strong legs, allowing tadpoles to escape into deeper water. This combination of ferocity and care is rare in frogs and shows just how unique the African bullfrog really is.
The survival skills of this frog are also legendary. During long dry seasons, when water disappears, the African bullfrog burrows deep underground and forms a protective cocoon out of layers of shed skin. In this dormant state, it can survive for months—sometimes even years—without food or water. When the rains return, it emerges, rehydrated and ready to eat and breed once again. This ability makes it one of the best-adapted amphibians to Africa’s unpredictable climate.
Distribution
Angola
Botswana
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Eswatini
Official estimate
Kenya
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
South Africa
Tanzania
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!
Suggest an editGet to know me
Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
