What Is Goliath Frogs

Goliath Frogs by Caroline Chang

The largest frogs on earth

Physical Characteristics
Head and body length ~ up to 12.5 inches
Length with legs stretched out ~ about 2.5 feet
Weight ~ up to 7.2 pounds
On top, the frog is greenish brown, and its underside is yellowish
The Goliath Frog's second toe is the longest.

Habitat
Goliath Frogs live in fast moving rivers and streams with sandy bottoms
These river systems are located in dense rain forests
The frogs are found in Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, both countries in West Africa.

Food
Adults are carnivores that eat insects, crustaceans, fish, and amphibians.
Tadpoles (baby frogs) are herbivores that eat water plants found only near waterfalls and in rapids.
Some indigenous people eat Goliath Frogs

Reproduction
Mating season for the Goliath Frog is July and August
Reproduce sexually
Several hundred eggs are included in each egg mass, which are attached to plants growing on the bottom of the river
It takes 85 to 90 days for tadpoles to develop

Uses
Many collectors catch the Goliath Frog because of its large size
At one point, Goliath Frogs were used as pets and were imported into the United States for jumping contests.
Indigenous tribes in West Africa use the Goliath Frog for certain types of medicine and food