Conraua goliath
goliath frog

The geographic range of goliath frogs is restricted to coastal, equatorial Guinea and Cameroon in West Africa.

Goliath frogs are found in or near fast-flowing rivers and waterfalls in dense, humid and relatively high-temperature rain forests. The water is usually clean, oxygen rich, slightly acidic and usually around 67°F. The presence of larval food also determines where goliath frogs occur. ("Conraua Goliath", 2008; "Goliath Frog", 1996; "Goliath Frog(Conraua Goliath)", 2005; Amiet, 2007; Gray, 2003; Net Industries, 2008; Thomson Gale, 2006)

Goliath frogs are the largest frogs on Earth. They are from 17 to 32 cm long and from 600 to 3250 grams in weight. They have a flattened, wide body with a triangular head. Their dorsal skin is granular and greenish brown and the ventral skin is a lighter yellowish green. The hind legs are long, front legs are shorter and stout, and all of the feet are extensively webbed. Their eyes can be nearly 2.5 cm in diameter. ("Goliath Frog", 1996; "Goliath Frog(Conraua Goliath)", 2005; Gray, 2003; Net Industries, 2008; Sandmeier, 2002; Thomson Gale, 2006)

Goliath frog tadpoles are not much larger than those of other frogs, but the majority of growth occurs in the first 75 to 90 days of development. The goliath frog's young tadpoles are not much larger than other frogs'. So the majority of the growth process occurs during the 75-90 days. As in other frogs, goliath frog larvae undergo metamorphosis to become adult frogs. (Gray, 2003; Net Industries, 2008; Sandmeier, 2002; Thomson Gale, 2006)

Lifespan of goliath frogs is not well documented, although individuals in the wild seem to live longer than those in captivity. ("Goliath Frog", 1996)

Goliath frogs are most active at night as they search for food along rivers. Younger frogs spend most of their time underwater whereas older frogs occasionally bask on rocks. (Thomson Gale, 2006)

Goliath frogs do not have vocal sacs and are often considered mute. As a mating call, goliath frogs hold their mouths open and make a whistling noise. ("Goliath Frog", 1996; "Goliath Frog(Conraua Goliath)", 2005; Gray, 2003; Net Industries, 2008; Thomson Gale, 2006)

Adult goliath frogs feed on insects, crustaceans, fish, mollusks, small mammals and amphibians, including newts, salamanders, and smaller frogs. Goliath tadpoles are vegetarians and feed only on one aquatic plant, Dicraea warmingii, found only near waterfalls and streams. ("Conraua Goliath", 2008; "Goliath Frog", 1996; "Goliath Frog(Conraua Goliath)", 2005; Amiet, 2007; Gray, 2003; Net Industries, 2008; Sandmeier, 2002; Thomson Gale, 2006)

The greenish brown dorsal skin of goliath frogs camouflages them well with the wet-moss covered rocks that adult frogs bask on. Goliath frogs are only known to be preyed on by humans, although other predators are possible. ("Goliath Frog(Conraua Goliath)", 2005; Thomson Gale, 2006)

Being carnivores, frogs occupy an intermediate position in food webs and their numbers can be indicators of the health of a broader ecosystem. Generally frogs regulate insect populations and also feed on other frogs, fish, small mammals and other small amphibians. Frogs in turn serve as food for birds, reptiles and mammals.

There are no known adverse effects of goliath frogs on humans

Because of their size, goliath frogs are valued for the international pet and zoo trade. They are also a valuable food source for local communities. ("Big frog--really big: but vulnerable to deforestation, pollution, and cook pots. (Conservation)", 2003; "Goliath Frog", 1996; "Goliath Frog(Conraua Goliath)", 2005; Gray, 2003; Sandmeier, 2002; Thomson Gale, 2006)

The IUCN sites goliath frogs as an endangered species because of a 50% decline in population size in the last three generations. The most significant threats to the species include hunting for food, destruction of forest habitat because of human settling, sedimentation, commercial logging and agriculture, and exportation for zoos, the pet trade, and competitive frog races. Some of the goliath frogs natural habitats have been declared protected areas including the Monte Alen National Park in Equatorial Guinea. Three wildlife sanctuaries in Littoral Province have also been approved as protected areas in Cameroon. The Equatorial Guinean government has set a limit of 300 on the frogs that may be exported per year. However, local conservation efforts and captive-breeding programs also need to be considered in order to maintain population sizes. ("Big frog--really big: but vulnerable to deforestation, pollution, and cook pots. (Conservation)", 2003; "Conraua Goliath", 2008; Amiet, 2007; Gray, 2003; Net Industries, 2008)