Documentation: African Goliath Frog & Miniature Reptiles | African Foodways Heritage Archive

Documentation: African Goliath Frog (Conraua goliath) & Miniature Reptiles

Archive Entry: African Foodways Heritage Archive
Scientific Name: Conraua goliath
Common Names: Goliath Frog, Giant Slippery Frog
Geographic Range: Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea
Conservation Status: Endangered (IUCN)
Cultural Component: Traditional African frog folklore
Originally Documented: September 2015 | AFHA Compiled: January 2026

Conservation Status: The Goliath frog (Conraua goliath) is classified as Endangered due to overhunting for bushmeat trade, capture for exotic pet markets, and habitat loss from deforestation. This documentation preserves knowledge of the species while noting its vulnerable status.

Figure 1. Goliath frogs (Conraua goliath) for sale in Cameroon market. This image documents both the species' substantial size and its presence in local bushmeat trade, contributing to its endangered status.

Biological Documentation: World's Largest Frog

Size Context: Adult Goliath frogs reach 6–8 pounds (2.7–3.6 kg) — comparable to a newborn human baby — and measure 13–16 inches (33–40 cm) in length. Their eyes alone reach 2.5 cm in diameter. Despite this substantial adult size, their tadpoles are initially no larger than those of other frog species, with most growth occurring in the first 75–90 days.

Physical Characteristics

Conraua goliath exhibits distinctive anatomical features adapted to its riverine habitat:

• Body Structure: Long, muscular hind legs for powerful swimming
• Limb Proportion: Shorter, stout front legs for stability on rocky substrates
• Foot Adaptation: Fully webbed feet for efficient aquatic movement
• Skin Texture: Smooth, slippery skin giving rise to "Giant Slippery Frog" name
• Coloration: Typically greenish-brown with subtle patterning for camouflage
• Habitat: Restricted to fast-flowing rivers and streams in rainforest regions

Trade Documentation: Goliath frogs face multiple human pressures: local bushmeat consumption, international exotic pet trade (including export to the United States), and use in competitive frog racing events. These activities, combined with habitat destruction, constitute primary threats to species survival.

Comparative Biodiversity: Extreme Size Variations

World's Largest: Goliath Frog

• Species: Conraua goliath
• Location: Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea
• Weight: 6–8 pounds (2.7–3.6 kg)
• Length: 13–16 inches (33–40 cm)
• Habitat: Fast-flowing rainforest rivers
• Status: Endangered

World's Smallest Chameleon

• Species: Brookesia micra
• Location: Madagascar
• Length: Under 1 inch (~29 mm)
• Size Context: Perches on matchstick head
• Habitat: Tsingy de Bemaraha limestone forest
• Ecosystem: Unique razor-sharp limestone landscape

Additional Miniature Species Documentation

For comparative context, this entry also documents other exceptionally small species:

• Paedophryne amauensis: World's smallest frog (formerly smallest vertebrate) from Papua New Guinea, approximately housefly-sized at under 8 mm length
• Brazilian gold frog & Cuban Monte Iberia Eleuth: Previous record-holders for smallest frogs, both under 1 cm length
• Brookesia micra: World's smallest chameleon, endemic to Madagascar's unique Tsingy limestone formations

Cultural Documentation: Traditional African Frog Folklore

Recorded Folktale: "Why Frogs Croak"

Long ago, the animals organized a wrestling match between Frog and Elephant. At the starting signal, both competitors rushed forward — but Elephant stumbled and fell onto his back. Frog, demonstrating agility and cleverness, leaped through Elephant's legs and pinned the giant animal down, winning the match decisively.

Ever since this legendary victory, frogs croak continuously to celebrate their ancestor's triumph over the largest land animal. This vocalization represents both celebration of historical achievement and declaration of frog resilience and cleverness within the animal kingdom.

Cultural Function: This folktale serves multiple purposes in traditional African knowledge systems: explains natural phenomena (frog vocalizations), reinforces value of cleverness over brute strength, and preserves ecological relationships between species through narrative.

Conservation Context & Threats

Primary Threats to Goliath Frogs

Documented pressures contributing to the species' endangered status:

• Bushmeat Hunting: Targeted for local consumption due to substantial meat yield
• International Pet Trade: Exported as exotic pets, particularly to United States markets
• Recreational Use: Employed in competitive frog racing events
• Habitat Destruction: Deforestation of rainforest riverside habitats
• Water Pollution: Degradation of pristine river conditions required for breeding
• Limited Range: Restricted native distribution increases vulnerability

Madagascar's Unique Ecosystem Context

The documentation of Brookesia micra highlights another African biodiversity hotspot:

• Tsingy de Bemaraha: Razor-sharp limestone karst formations creating isolated microhabitats
• Endemic Species: Unique evolutionary pathways due to geographic isolation
• Conservation Priority: Both miniature chameleons and Goliath frogs represent specialized adaptations requiring specific conservation strategies
• Research Importance: Extreme size variations (giant vs. miniature) offer insights into evolutionary biology and ecological adaptation

Scientific & Cultural Significance of Documentation

Biodiversity Recording

This entry preserves knowledge of African amphibian and reptile extremes:

• Size Extremes: Documents both largest frog and some of smallest reptiles
• Geographic Specificity: Records precise native ranges and habitat requirements
• Morphological Details: Preserves physical characteristics for future reference
• Conservation Baseline: Establishes documented status for monitoring changes

Integrated Knowledge Preservation

This documentation represents AFHA's approach to integrated knowledge systems:

• Biological Facts: Scientific data on species characteristics and ecology
• Human Interactions: Records of bushmeat use, pet trade, and recreational activities
• Cultural Context: Traditional folklore explaining natural phenomena
• Conservation Status: Documentation of threats and endangered status
• Comparative Biology: Contextualization within global biodiversity extremes

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This entry forms part of the African Foodways Heritage Archive's documentation of African biodiversity and traditional knowledge systems. It preserves information on Conraua goliath not merely as a biological specimen, but as a species embedded in human cultural and economic systems—from traditional folklore to contemporary trade networks—while noting its vulnerable conservation status and the importance of preserving Africa's exceptional amphibian and reptile biodiversity.