Kingdom : Animalia Class : Amphibia Family : Pipidae Scientific Name : Xenopus laevis Colour : Brown, Grey, Albino Skin Type : Permeable Scales Size(L) : 2.5cm - 12cm (1in - 5in) Weight : 25g - 220g (1oz - 8oz) Top Speed : 8km/h (5mph) Life Span : 8 - 15 years Most Distinctive Feature : Clawed front toes Fun Fact : A particularly ferocious amphibian!
- The African Clawed frogs are a species of flat frogs found at the bottom of waterbed.
- They are also known as Platanna.
- They have unique features which help them adapt to their habitat.
- Their most notably unique feature is their feet.
- Their hind feet are webbed whereas in the front they have legs with clawed toes.
- Their greenish grey color and mottled pattern helps them camouflage from their predators.
- Their sense organs are along the sides of their bodies in the form of stitch marks.
- They are most commonly found in Eastern and southern Africa in stagnant waters.
- They are also found in freshwater habitats outside Africa because of human introduction.
- The African clawed frogs are very quick swimmers.
- They are extremely ferocious and are top predators in their bottom-dwelling environment.
- They mainly prey on water bugs, small fish, insects, spiders and worms.
- Their major predators are Heron, birds, reptiles, cats, dogs and rodents.
- The female African clawed frogs are almost double the size of their male counterparts.
- They are known to lay thousands of eggs at a time, after mating.
- The eggs are held together, underwater, by a jelly like substance till they are hatched.
- Human beings have used them extensively in their research and experiments.
- Despite their becoming an invasive species in certain places, their population is dwindling due to water pollution.