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Edible Bullfrog
Pyxicephalus edulis
Edible bullfrog. A smaller relative of the giant African bullfrog. Males reach up to 12-14 cm. Highly robust, burrowing species suited for keepers looking for a bullfrog but with limited space.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Pyxicephalidae
Subfamily:Pyxicephalinae
Genus:Pyxicephalus
Species:Pyxicephalus edulis
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
60 - 80 %
Day temperature
26 - 29 °C
Night temperature
22 - 24 °C
Ambient temperature
26 - 29 °C
Minimum enclosure
>= 45 L
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Native to the savannas, dry shrublands, floodplains, and temporary rain pools of East and Southern Africa, from Kenya to Mozambique and South Africa. A burrowing species that spends long dry periods aestivating in a cocoon of dead skin underground to survive the heat.
Taxonomy and Genetics: A heavily built, armored-looking frog. Males reach 10-14 cm, while females are smaller (around 8-10 cm). They feature olive-green skin, a yellowish-white belly, and powerful hind limbs modified for digging. They possess sharp odontoid projections (tooth-like structures) in the lower jaw.
Behavior and Habits: Burrowing, territorial, and highly voracious. Spends months buried, but emerges rapidly during the rainy season to feed and breed. Unlike sit-and-wait Pacman frogs, it will actively pursue prey. Males produce loud, deep, bull-like bellows during rains.
Morphology: Unique among most amphibians, males are significantly larger and heavier than females. Males also feature yellow or orange throats, nuptial pads, and larger heads with stronger jaws.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Requires a horizontal terrestrial enclosure (minimum 80x45x45 cm). Provide a deep, loose substrate (such as pure coco fiber or peat moss mixed with clean sand) that allows burrowing. Provide a large, shallow water dish. Avoid hard branches or sharp rocks.
Lighting and Heating: Requires warm temperatures of 26-29°C during the day with a basking spot, dropping to 22-24°C at night. Avoid heating mats underneath the tank as they can burn the burrowing frog. Provide a 5.0 UVB light to prevent metabolic bone disease.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain moderate humidity (50-60%). The substrate should be damp below but dry on the surface. Avoid waterlogged or muddy conditions to prevent red leg syndrome. Use dechlorinated water for misting and the water bowl.
Feeding and Supplementation: Extremely voracious. Feeds on grills, locusts, roaches, and earthworms. Use feeding tongs to avoid painful bites. Dust prey items with a high-quality calcium and vitamin D3 supplement at least twice a week.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. Do not house multiple specimens together, as they are highly cannibalistic and will consume each other regardless of size. Do not cohabitate with other species.
Health and Common Diseases: Susceptible to toxic shock syndrome from dirty substrate and ammonia build-up. Maintain strict hygiene. Be cautious of their bite; their odontoid projections can cause painful wounds. Ensure clean water is available daily.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Native to the savannas, dry shrublands, floodplains, and temporary rain pools of East and Southern Africa, from Kenya to Mozambique and South Africa. A burrowing species that spends long dry periods aestivating in a cocoon of dead skin underground to survive the heat.
Origin
North AmericaAfrica and MadagascarEurope, Mediterranean, and West Asia
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 14 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Toxicity
- No verified data available
- Life stage
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 14 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 14 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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