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Xenopus laevis
A completely aquatic frog with a wide, flattened body and fully webbed back feet. The last two photos show the claws in which they get their name from.
Found in a water trough in a high elevation grassland. They can live out of water just fine, as long as they are kept really moist.
Spotted on Jan 6, 2014
Submitted on Jan 22, 2014
4 Comments
Like all members in its family (Pipidae), The African Clawed Frog (Xenopus Laevis) has no tongue! Instead it uses suction and scooping with its forelimbs to capture preys. This fully aquatic species also possesses what are known as lateral line organs, which are used to detect wave motion in water. The small claws on its hind feet are used to tear pieces of food. Popular with pet owners and researchers alike, this frog has been widely exported and bred. Because of its predatory and highly adaptable nature it has established itself in isolated groups in parts of the Americas and Europe. The African Clawed frog has been linked to the emergence of the chytrid fungus infections which are wiping out amphibians around the world. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...
They definitely are funny looking frogs! A lot of research is done with this species and they have been exported to all over the world. They were also the first species chytrid fungus was ever detected in, and they believe it spread originally by exporting these guys everywhere :/
This is funny. It looks like the head and front legs don´t "fit" the rest of the body, they are too small
Almost like duck feet!