African Dwarf Frog Behaviors

The African dwarf frog, as you might guess, is a tiny thing. Native to the sub-Saharan area, African dwarf frog males are about 1 1/2 inches long. The females run to about 2 inches. Although they can be inactive for long periods of time, some frog lovers appreciate the distinctive behaviors of the African dwarf frog, also known as the aquatic dwarf frog.

  1. Shy, But Social

    • You need to have some hiding places for African dwarf frogs, which often like to blend into their surroundings. According to the Aquatic Frog website, plants with thick leaves are good choices. So are decorations sold in pet stores that have openings for the small critters to use as a cave or hiding place. However, African dwarf frogs get along fine with such freshwater creatures as goldfish, small catfish and guppies. In fact, African dwarf frogs sometimes can be acclimatized to eat from their owner's hands

    The Frog Aquatic

    • Perhaps the most distinctive behavior of the African dwarf frog is its tendency to live almost entirely underwater. They emerge from time to time and can breathe the air, but too much time out of water can dehydrate them. The Frog World website notes their "weird floating habit," nicknamed the "Zen position." The frogs float with arms and legs outstretched and use one foot for balance, resembling a creature who is meditating.

    Night and Day

    • African dwarf frogs stop meditating and start swimming at night. So it's best to simulate a night and day atmosphere by using artificial light for eight to 12 hours and darkness the rest of the time. It can be stressful if the frogs aren't able to stick to an inbred routine. The frogs tend to spend many hours floating immobile in the water, so don't panic if you pet appears to be dead. Actually, the lifespan of an African dwarf frog is as long as 18 years.

    Mating Habits

    • The smaller male clasps the female around the midsection and the pair soars in acrobatic loops until the eggs are fertilized, a dance called amblecting, Frog World states. If you have other frogs, It's important to remove the eggs from the tank and put them in a separate tank warmed to 74 degrees Fahrenheit -- otherwise the other frogs might mistake the eggs for food.