African Clawed Frog

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Pipidae
Genus: Xenopus
Species: laevis


African clawed frogs require a water depth of no less than 6 inches and no more than 12 inches. Even though this frog is an aquatic species, they breathe air and it must be made easily accessible by keeping the water height at a reasonable level.

There should be 10 gallons of water for each frog that is being housed together. This rule of thumb will help ensure that everyone has enough space.

African clawed frogs do not require a land area. They do require some enclosure decorations though.

A solid tank cover is essential with this species. If there is an opening that the frog can fit through, they will likely go exploring and possibly dry up before you locate them.

Large stone gravel can be used with this species. Small stone or gravel should be avoided to prevent accidental ingestion when foraging the tank bottom for food. A variety of varying hiding places should be created with artificial driftwood, rocks, etc. A lack of adequate hiding locations can cause stress to the frogs.

Live and artificial plants can be used with this species though they will likely be uprooted - dug up.

It is believed that constant water movement and splashing causes these frogs extreme stress. Many believe that 90% water changes should be done every 5-7 days and that a filtration system is not required.

Gentle filtration has been used by enthusiasts of clawed frogs successfully. The decision to use or avoid a filtration system is left upon the owner. For the sake of caution, frequent water changes would ultimately be the better choice.


African clawed frogs are scavengers that have a voracious appetite. In the wild they will eat living, dead, or dying arthropods. They also eat aquatic insect larvae, small fish, tadpoles, worms, and freshwater snails.

Captive diets are primarily made up of brine shrimp, bloodworms, earthworms, and commercial food items. Guppies can also be offered to your frogs. A varied diet will help ensure that all of your frogs nutritional requirements are being met.

The tank can be kept at room temperature. They do exceptionally well in water temperatures ranging anywhere from 60° to 80° Fahrenheit. A median temperature of 70° - 72° would be ideal.

Special lighting is not required though a 12 hour photoperiod should be provided.

Avoid direct contact with sunlight through windows.

• · African clawed frogs lack a tongue ,a visible ear, and the males lack vocal cords.
• · Many people confuse this species with the African Dwarf Frog (Hymenochirus boettgeri).
• · African clawed frogs can live 15 years or more.
• · African clawed frogs are sexually mature in ten to 12 months.
• · African clawed frogs have been used as laboratory research animals because their embryos are transparent.
• · African clawed frogs can't hop. Instead of hopping, they crawl.
• · African clawed frogs are native to South Africa but have become an introduced species in waters all over the world.