Goliath Frog
Africa is home to many interesting creatures, and one such example is goliath frogs. Reaching up to a foot in length without considering its legs, the goliath frog lives up to its name; weighing in when full size just about the same as a standard housecat!
Goliath frogs start life in pretty much the same manner as other frogs. The eggs and eventual tadpoles which hatch from the eggs are very similar in size to that of smaller frogs. The goliath tadpoles enjoy a vegetarian diet, feasting on water plants that exist only in the habitat where they hatch. Eventually they transform into young frogs. The main difference between goliath frogs and other frogs from that point on is that young goliath frogs continue growing and growing after the others have reached their full size.
Once the transformation from tadpole to young frog is complete, their diet changes as well. The growing goliath frog’s diet will consist of smaller frogs, insects, scorpions and crustaceans, lizards and such. The males will grow to a larger size than their female counterparts; an unusual trait amongst frogs. Perhaps that is due to the fact that the mature males actually compete and wrestle for the privilege of mating with a female. The female will lay a clutch of eggs numbering in the thousands in a nest of rocks that has been built by the male. Both the male and female then go on their separate ways; leaving the potential babies on their own to survive or not.
These frogs are difficult to find. It is known that their favorite habitats include fast running waters, such as waterfalls and flowing rivers deep within the rain forests of coastal Cameroon in western Africa, and in Equatorial Guinea, and that they do not breach out further than that area. The habitat, sadly, is one that is quickly disappearing, granting goliath frogs yet another distinguishing feature: that of a threatened species. Rain forests are being eradicated in favor of farmland; rivers are being dammed and the area is becoming more and more inhabited by humans.
The fact that goliath frogs are hard to find is actually a benefit for them. Widely hunted ever since their initial discovery in the early 1900’s, goliath frogs are a valuable means of income. Collectors pursue these creatures for export to other countries such as the United States, where they can garner price tags of up to $3,000.00 each. Goliath frogs are used for culinary purposes and for display in zoos, where unfortunately they do not fare well. Experience has shown that goliaths do not breed well, therefore do not have a high survival rate when in captivity.
Counted as the largest frog known on earth, goliath frogs have been around for millions of years. Efforts to ensure that they will continue to survive in this ever changing world are under way, but scientists are noting significant changes in their size and numbers. Their research on the lives of the goliath frogs will hopefully lead to the survival of this amazing creature.