African dwarf frog
|
? African dwarf frogs |
|||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | |||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
Species
|
|||||||||||||||||
| See text. |
African dwarf frogs of genus Hymenochirus, also known as dwarf aquatic frogs (ADF or DAF for short), are frogs native to Sub Saharan Africa. They are members of Family Pipidae.
They are entirely aquatic though they do break the water surface as they are air breathers. They are nearly blind at close range being far-sighted, but have keen sight 7 cm or further away. They rely on a sharp sense of smell and touch to find food. They are meat eaters and so eat small insects, worms, fish meat and red mosquito larvae also known as bloodworms (though this food should only be feed once a week in captivity).
They are usually only an inch and a half in body length when fully grown, females are larger than the males. They are cousins to the large African clawed frog but are much smaller. They are often sold in pet shops and can live in captivity for 10-20 years.
It is often the case that the African clawed frog is confused with this frog when very young. But it is easy to tell the two species apart. Look at the hands of the frog. If the fingers are webbed then it is an ADF.
The male makes a quiet mating call when sexually active. The female is silent most of the time.
You can sex the frog quite easily once it is over 6 months old. Behind each armpit, the male develops a gland spot which becomes red when sexually mature.
Members of genus Hymenochirus
- Hymenochirus boettgeri, Zaire African Dwarf Clawed Frog.
- Hymenochirus boulengeri, Eastern African Dwarf Clawed Frog.
- Hymenochirus curtipes, Western African Dwarf Clawed Frog.
- Hymenochirus feae, A possible sub-species of H. boettgeri.