goliath frog amphibian Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/animal/goliath-frog Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/animal/goliath-frog Also known as: Conraua goliath, Gigantorana goliath, West African goliath frog, giant slippery frog Written by Sanat Pai Raikar Sanat Pai Raikar is a quizmaster and writer based out of Bangalore, India. His first quiz book, Three's A Quiz, was written from memory. Sanat has cofounded Quizarre, which provides quiz, crossword,... Sanat Pai Raikar, John P. Rafferty John P. Rafferty writes about Earth processes and the environment. He serves currently as the editor of Earth and life sciences, covering climatology, geology, zoology, and other topics that relate to... John P. Rafferty•All Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Nov 6, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Also called: West African goliath frog, Conraua goliath, or giant slippery frog (Show more) Ask the Chatbot a Question Ask the Chatbot a Question { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What is the size and weight of the goliath frog? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The goliath frog can grow as long as 32 cm (12.6 inches), and the largest adults (which are often females) can weigh 3 kg (6.6 pounds) or more. Researchers suggest that the physical demands of moving rocks to prepare nest sites selected for stronger and larger individuals, which, over time, led to the frogu2019s large size." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What are the main threats to the goliath frog? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "The main threats to the goliath frog include habitat loss due to logging and farming, hunting, water pollution, and being part of the illegal wildlife trade. They are also sought after by pet collectors, some of whom use them in frog-jumping contests. The frogu2019s particular habitat requirements also complicate efforts to conserve the species; it inhabits clear, warm rivers and nearby riverbanks and humid, undisturbed old-growth or secondary-growth forests." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : " What do goliath frogs eat? ", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Adult and juvenile goliath frogs are carnivorous, eating insects, worms, spiders, scorpions, fish, other frogs, and small mammals. Tadpoles feed exclusively on the aquatic plant Dicraeia warmingii, which is found on rocks in rapids and near waterfalls. Their dependence on this plant at such a critical life stage likely accounts for the frogu2019s narrow distribution." } } ] } Top Questions What is the size and weight of the goliath frog? The goliath frog can grow as long as 32 cm (12.6 inches), and the largest adults (which are often females) can weigh 3 kg (6.6 pounds) or more. Researchers suggest that the physical demands of moving rocks to prepare nest sites selected for stronger and larger individuals, which, over time, led to the frog’s large size.

　　What are the main threats to the goliath frog? The main threats to the goliath frog include habitat loss due to logging and farming, hunting, water pollution, and being part of the illegal wildlife trade. They are also sought after by pet collectors, some of whom use them in frog-jumping contests. The frog’s particular habitat requirements also complicate efforts to conserve the species; it inhabits clear, warm rivers and nearby riverbanks and humid, undisturbed old-growth or secondary-growth forests.

　　What do goliath frogs eat? Adult and juvenile goliath frogs are carnivorous, eating insects, worms, spiders, scorpions, fish, other frogs, and small mammals. Tadpoles feed exclusively on the aquatic plant Dicraeia warmingii, which is found on rocks in rapids and near waterfalls. Their dependence on this plant at such a critical life stage likely accounts for the frog’s narrow distribution.

　　goliath frog, (Conraua goliath), West African frog inhabiting dense lowland rainforests and a few fast-moving rivers and waterfalls in Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. Classified in the family Conrauidae, it is best known as the world’s largest frog species. Males and females grow as long as 32 cm (12.6 inches), and the largest adults (which are often females) weigh 3 kg (6.6 pounds) or more. The goliath frog is an endangered species whose population has declined because of hunting and capture as well as its specific habitat and food requirements and narrow tolerance limits, which make it vulnerable to habitat loss ...(100 of 1236 words)

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