All About the World’s Largest Frog
Have you ever wondered what the largest frog in the world is? What about in North America? If you have, then this article is for you. Frogs are interesting creatures, not only because of how diverse and widespread they are, but because of the uses of frogs in pop culture. They show up everywhere, from movies to television to fairy tales. Most of us picture frogs as being little green creatures jumping around and saying “Ribbit, ribbit”, but they actually can get quite big. This article will inform you of the largest frog in the world, as well as the largest one in North America.
For starters, we have to clarify a misconception. Most people think of toads and frogs as being two different creatures. Generally we picture toads as being short, squat, rough-skinned creatures that live away from water, while frogs are slender, green amphibians with moist skin that live near water. With the exception of one particular species, frogs and toads are the same thing, believe it or not. There are traits that can be characterized for different varieties of frogs and toads, but they are of the same order, Anura. This is important to know for any fan or student of the amphibian family.
With this in mind, the largest frog in the world is called the Goliath frog (a name that is highly appropriate, given the size). A Goliath frog lives in one particular place on earth: Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, in Africa. Just how big is this amphibian? Picture this. A Goliath frog can grow up to a whopping 13 inches in length – and that is just with it sitting. If you stretch its legs as far as they can go, it can get over 30 inches long – which is two and a half feet. It is not just long, either. A Goliath frog can weigh over seven pounds too.
What do these massive frogs eat to get so big? The preferred food of a Goliath is crabs, which explains the size. They will also eat insects, though, and even smaller frogs. Goliath frogs can live up to 15 years of age, can jump over 10 feet in a single bound, and cannot “speak” or croak (even though they can hear very well.) Unfortunately, their numbers in the wild are rapidly dwindling.
The largest frog in North America is not nearly as big. The American bullfrog claims this distinction. Even though it is not as large as its African cousin, the American bullfrog is quite bigger than many varieties that people see in the wild. Normally this bullfrog will grow up to six inches long, with some reaching up to eight inches. With outstretched legs, they can get up to 18 inches total – which is still quite impressive. They are large enough to eat just about any animal they can overpower and scarf down, but also subsist on water-borne and land-based insects.
American bullfrogs can be found virtually anywhere in the United States. They prefer damp habitats, like those in swamps, or near lakes and rivers. They also prefer to live in warmer climates, and are quite common in the American Midwest and South. Indeed, during rainy days and nights one can see bullfrogs traveling across roads and fields in response to the weather. The American bullfrog is so recognizable, in fact, that it is the official state amphibian of Iowa, Missouri, and Oklahoma.
The largest frog in North America, the American bullfrog, is not as big as the largest one in the world, the Goliath frog, but it is nevertheless impressive. Both types of frog have made names for themselves for their sheer size. If you want to see them, then either head outside or to your local zoo today!
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