Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Goliath Frogs Big As Newborn Babies

The biggest frogs in the world weigh as much as a newborn baby, African Goliath frogs on average weigh 6-8 pounds. They measure about 13-16 inches in length, which is about the same width as a laptop computer. Goliath frogs are found in very small regions of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea in Africa.


African Goliath frogs are the largest frogs in the world; as big as a newborn baby.


African Goliath frogs for sale in Cameroon

The goliath frog is the largest living frog on earth living in or near fast-flowing rivers and streams in West African rainforests. The frogs are considered endangered amphibians due to overhunting and its small habitat environmental range being destroyed.

The Goliath Frog's scientific name is Conraua goliath and is known as the Giant Slippery Frog. The world's largest frog is known only from southwestern Cameroon from the region of Nkongsamba, and south to Monte Alen in mainland Equatorial Guinea. The goliath frog is part of the Central African bushmeat trade and exported to the USA by animal dealers as pets and competitive frog races.

Goliath frog tadpoles are not much larger than those of other frogs are, but the majority of growth occurs in the first 75 to 90 days of development.


Adult Goliath frogs are from 17 to 32 cm long and from 600 to 3250 grams in weight, 6-8 pounds. They measure about 13-16 inches in length. They have a flattened, wide-body with a triangular head. Their dorsal skin is granular and greenish-brown and the ventral skin is light yellowish green. 

 The hind legs are long, front legs are shorter and stout, and all of the feet are extensively webbed. Their eyes can be nearly 2.5 cm in diameter. Goliath frogs are most active at night as they search for food along rivers. Younger frogs spend most of their time underwater whereas older frogs occasionally bask on rocks.

The world’s smallest frog is the size of a housefly


The Paedophryne amauensis is a species of frog from Papua New Guinea. About the size of a housefly, it is considered the world's smallest known frog. 

Before the Paedophrynes were found, the title of world's smallest frog was bestowed on the Brazilian gold frog (Brachycephalus didactylus) and its slightly larger Cuban relative, the Monte Iberia Eleuth (Eleutherodactylus iberia). They both measure less than 1cm long. 

Because the frogs have calls that resemble those made by insects and are camouflaged among leaves on the forest floor, Paedophryne amauensis were difficult to detect.

The worlds smallest chameleon can fit on the head of a wooden match

Brookesia micra, the minuscule chameleon is less than an inch long from nose to tail as an adult and can sit on a human thumbnail. Newborn and young minuscule chameleons can fit on the head of a wooden match.

It is only found living in Madagascar's 62-mile high Tsingy Razor Spiked Forest. Tsingy is located in the Melaky Region of Mahajanga Madagascar on 375,600 acres or 152,000 hectares of land.
The minuscule chameleon which is less than an inch long from nose to tail is a species only found in Tsingy. The undisturbed forests, lakes and mangrove swamps are the habitat for rare and endangered lemurs and birds.


Something fun


Why Frogs Croak is explained in this true African folklore story


It is a common belief male frogs croaks are love serenades meant to attract a lover. However, the true reason frogs croak is explained in the ancient African Short Story Folklore Why Frogs Croak.

Why Frogs Croak African Short Story Folklore

Why Frogs Croak African Short Story Folklore

The animals arrange a wrestling match between frog and elephant. 

It is agreed that at the beginning of the match, at the signal each contestant will rush forward into the wrestling match and begin the contest. 

However, the elephant comes so fast, that he stumbles and falls over on his back, frog jumps through elephant's legs, pins him and wins the match. 

All Frog's relatives began to croak, and to this day, they crock to each other celebrating the victory over the elephant.


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