Goliath Frog Habitats

Goliath frogs or Conraua goliath, are the largest frogs in the world, growing to bodies of 12 inches or longer. They are carnivores, living off insects, crustaceans, fish and other amphibians. Their legs can be as long as 2.5 feet when stretched out and give them the ability to jump as high as 10 feet into the air. These frogs are found only in Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, Africa.

  1. Habitat

    • Goliath frogs have only been found from southwestern Cameroon Sanaga River to the Benito, Wolo and Mbini Rivers and south to Monte Alen in mainland Equatorial Guinea. The frogs inhabit only fast moving, warm rainforest rivers with sandy bottoms and rocks covered with Dicraea warmingii warmingii, which is found only near waterfalls and in rapids and is the main food source for goliath frog tadpoles. The rainforest these frogs live in is quickly disappearing to be replaced by farms and construction, activities that cause sedimentation of the rivers and streams where the frogs breed.

    Predation

    • The size and dexterity of the frogs preclude predation by most other animals, in fact, they are more dangerous to other frogs and are known to eat amphibians. The reason these frogs are on the endangered species list lies mostly with human predation--as well as the destruction of their habitat. Goliath frogs are popular in both food and medicine in Africa, as well as being popular in the exotic pet trade. Due to the rapidly dwindling population no more than 300 Goliath frogs are allowed to be exported from Cameroon each year.

    Mating and Reproduction

    • Although it is unknown exactly how Goliath frogs mate, it is known that the mating season is July and August. The males build a nest of rocks and the females then lay a large clutch of several hundred eggs onto vegetation on the river bottom. The tadpoles, which are of a comparable size to smaller frog species, feed on Dicraea warmingii warmingii. It takes about 85 to 95 days for the tadpoles to metamorphose into adults.

    Captivity

    • Goliath frogs typically do not survive long while in captivity and captive breeding attempts are rarely successful. The frogs usually die of stress during transport and upon arrival require an extremely large area with live plants, a tropical temperature and relatively fast moving water. They also require live food. These frogs can sell for as much as $3,000.

    Conservation

    • While it is now illegal to hunt the goliath frog, poachers still collect them to sell as a delicacy. The species has a very small area of distribution and is considered threatened. Some of their natural habitats such as Monte Alen National Park in Equatorial Guinea have been declared protected areas in the hopes that the species will survive there. Three wildlife sanctuaries in Littoral Province in Cameroon are also protected habitats of the frogs. Only 600 frogs between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon are permitted to be exported each year.