goliath frog belongs to the class of amphibians, amphibians squad.It inhabits only in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea (Africa).Fully justifies its name, since it can reach a weight of 3.5 kg (according to some sources up to 6 kg), body length and reach 32 cm without legs.This frog - the largest of all known to date.
Externally similar to ordinary frog.Females are larger than males.The color of the skin on the back and head of greenish-brown, and the abdomen and legs from the inside - yellow or cream.Wrinkled skin on the back.Paws it is bigger man's hand.This frog does not emit any sound as a voice in her throat bag is missing.Those who were lucky enough to hold it in his hands, says: It feels like holding a rubber ball stuffed with wet sand.
goliath frog found only in clean water, oxygen-rich, unlike their relatives who may live in the swamps.Such criteria correspond to the full-flowing river with tropical waterfalls.By the water temperature in the reservoir it too demanding, it is necessary that it did not fall below 22 0C.Humidity onshore need high.Too sunlit places it does not favor, prefers shade areas.Here's a fussy goliath frog.Photo shows it well.
Adults are very cautious, even timid, difficult to catch them.They have excellent eyesight, viewing area of 40 m, noticing any changes.Most of the day goliath frog calmly sits on a spot favored by near the waterfall.At any danger, she jumps into the rapid water flow.Under the water can be up to 15 minutes, hiding at the bottom of the river among the rocks.
After time goliath frog pops up, but the whole does not appear, from the water look out only the eyes and the tip of the nose.If it decides that the danger had passed, several Jog reaches the shore and is selected from the water.Jumping on the land climbs on rock ledges or settling just below the waterfall.Pose takes comfortable for the next jump, which will be accomplished in an emergency or when it detects prey.
goliath frog eats various insects and their larvae, worms, crustaceans, and other small amphibians. Grabbing extraction jaws and tongue, it first compresses it, and then swallows without raskusyvaya.
Goliath - frog breeding in the dry season.The female lays about 10 thousand eggs for 5-6 days.Each egg diameter reaches 0.6 cm. The transformation of the egg to adult takes 70 days.Vyluplyayas from the egg, the tadpole is only 0.8 cm at 45 days of age the length of its body reaches 4.8 cm. At this time, there is a transformation of a tadpole into a frog by drop-tail.
Today goliath frog is on the verge of extinction.This is due to the fact that local people willingly consume Goliath frogs to eat.Restaurants are willing to pay $ 5 for each major individual.They say that they have a sweet taste.Woods, in the depths of which the frog lives on the banks of the river, cut down.In addition, the Goliaths are trafficked abroad, depriving the familiar environment, are sold in a variety of world zoos and private collectors.Once in the United States have tried to breed in captivity Goliaths, but the plan failed because the play required for their living conditions were difficult.
