The African Clawed Frog is a large species of flat Frog that is primarily found dwelling at the bottom of lakes and rivers. The African Clawed Frog is also known as the Platanna and has a number of very unique features that mean it is specially adapted to it's habitat. The African Clawed Frog is thought to have originated in South Africa, and is today found naturally across the African continent. The African Clawed Frog has also been introduced to the Americas and parts of Europe.

The average adult African Clawed Frog grows to about 12 cm in length, and weighs around 200g. The African Clawed Frog is often a greenish, grey color although other colors of the African Clawed Frog are not uncommon (such as albino). The color of the African Clawed Frog's skin, along with it's mottled pattern, gives it more camouflage from hungrypredators. They have a line of stitch-marks along either side of their bodies which act as sense organs to detect prey in the surrounding water. Their eyes and nose are located on top of the head enabling them to see and breathe but without being too visible.

 

 

 

 

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Anura
Family:	Pipidae
Genus:	Xenopus
Scientific Name:	Xenopus laevis
Common Name:	African Clawed Frog
Other Name(s):	Platanna
Group:	Amphibian
Number Of Species:	1
Location:	eastern and southern Africa
Habitat:	Warm stagnant water with grassland
Colour:	Brown, Grey, Albino
Skin Type:	Permeable Scales
Size (L):	2.5cm - 12cm (1in - 5in)
Weight:	25g - 220g (1oz - 8oz)
Top Speed:	8km/h (5mph)
Diet:	Carnivore
Prey:	Small Fish, Insects, Spiders
Predators:	Snakes, Birds, Small Mammals
Lifestyle:	Nocturnal
Group Behaviour:	Solitary
Water Type:	Fresh
Life Span:	8 - 15 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity:	10 - 12 months
Incubation Period:	4 - 5 days
Average Spawn Size:	2,000
Name Of Young:	Tadpole
Age Of Independance:	5 days