The Pixie Frog, also known as the Giant African Bullfrog, is a native of southern Africa.
These huge frogs can grow up to a size of your hand and are some of the largest in the world. They will eat anything, from small birds to baby snakes.
Hobbyists love Pixie Frogs because they are easy to care for and more fun than a fish.
These amphibians are fascinating and live underground for most of their lives. They only emerge after heavy rain, which is unusual for amphibians.
Continue reading if this sounds like a frog to you.
Pixie Frog Species Overview
Pixie Frogs, large olive-green frogs, can be found all over southern Africa. They can be found anywhere in South Africa, including Gauteng and Angola.
This area has a very dry climate with subtropical grasslands.
Pixie Frogs spend their time underground in a cocoon of layers of their skin. It is due to the heat in their natural habitat. They are in a reduced state of activity (i.e. They remain in a state of reduced activity (i.e., torpor) throughout the year.
They will only mate during heavy rains.
They don’t have an annual breeding season, and their reproductive cycle is unique. The father frog plays a vital role in the protection of the young tadpoles.
Pixie Frogs are the largest amphibians and can grow to more than two pounds . The females are smaller and weigh about one pound.
Herpetologists love the fact that these large frogs can eat almost anything. Their diet consists mainly of mice and small animals like baby snakes and lizards. Sometimes they will even eat plant material.
They are best kept as pets.
They will usually spend their time in the corner of the tank, being inactive. They may be socialized once or twice per week and enjoy being held. You can keep them in a 20-gallon aquarium that has high humidity and warm temperatures. If you have high humidity, a terrarium can work.
The Normal Behavior
The wild Pixie Frogs exhibit very unique behaviors.
They are nocturnal and are not active during the day. They will only reach the surface after heavy rain.
This frog species is very territorial and aggressive. They will not tolerate their enemies. During breeding, males often fight for their mates.
You should not house two of these aggressive animals together. Males can fight even without the presence or consent of a female.
They display aggression by:
- Making a snorting sound, which can sometimes sound like an underwater whistle.
- Jumping toward each other, mouths open.
- Their adversary should be thrown into the air and placed on its back.
- Grab the opponent’s hind legs.
Bullfrog South African Burrowing Bullfrog
Pixie Frogs in the wild spend their burrowing time underground in a state where they are less active (i.e. torpor). They use their hind legs to burrow into the soil and create a cocoon of layers made of shed skin that covers their entire body, except their nostrils. External nares
They can be quite inactive in tanks and will often rest with their eyes closed for the majority of their time.
Keep your frog hydrated and well-fed to avoid them going into torpor. If you don’t give them food or water, they will go into dormancy.
Is A Pixie Frog Poisonous?
Although African Pixie Frogs can’t be poisoned, some can be aggressive and bite hard. Handling hostile frogs is a dangerous task as they will jump at you.
They will be more comfortable with handling if they are socialized from an early age.
These frogs make a great pet, especially for those who are just starting to care for them.
Hand washing is essential, as Brucella bacteria has been found to be present in some of their products.
Species Appearance
Pixie Frogs have a heavy build.
They are larger than the common pond frog and have larger heads and mouths.
They have very little or no webbing because they aren’t pond frogs. Their inner toes on their hind legs have a sharp, callus that is used for digging.
Pixie Frogs are not very different in color. They are olive green with yellow or cream coloring at their throats.
The throats of males are bright yellow while the throats of females are creamy.
Giant Pixie Frog
The males can grow to nine inches in length and two to three pounds heavier than the females. Females are half as long as males and only weigh one pound.
The difference between males & females is evident as males can have 10 times the.
A tadpole is a few inches in length and will reach full maturity by the age of two years.
Pixie Frog Care sheet
These frogs are a great learning tool and can teach you a lot how to care for large amphibians.
What we like about pet pixie frogs
Pros
- They eat almost anything and have a very simple diet.
- They do not require a large terrarium as they are inactive.
- If they are trained from a young age, they can be very social.
Cons
- They can be aggressive and territorial, so they should be left alone.
- Keep your aquarium very humid.
- If they were purchased as adults, they can be difficult to handle for beginners.
Pixie Frog Diet
Pixie Frogs can eat almost any animal that is nearly the same size as themselves. They only eat plants when they are hungry. They are a wait and watch predator, meaning they eat every few days.
They will eat any food they find.
- Rats
- Lizards
- Other frogs
- Small birds
- Baby snakes
They don’t have to be picky and rarely refuse food.
Adults should be fed at least twice a week, with occasional snacks. To avoid being bitten, forceps should be used to feed your food.
Adult Pixie Frogs don’t have access to commercial feed so they should be fed a mix of gut-loaded insects and freshly thawed pinky mice. Some owners feed Purina trout chow.
Juveniles should follow the same diet as adults, but every day.
Remaining food should be spot-cleaned no later than two hours after eating.
Tadpoles eat mostly aquatic plants, insects, and algae. A commercial diet can be fed to tadpoles.
Bullfrogs should have easy access to drinking water, separate bathing and sloughing areas. Both bowls need to be changed on a daily basis.
Pixie Frog Lifespan & Health
If they are properly cared for, Pixie Frogs live long and healthy lives. They live a typical life expectancy of 20 years. However, some Pixie Frogs have been known to live up to 45 years.
Because they love to eat, obesity is their most common health problem. You must feed them according to a schedule or diet plan.
To plan their food intake, you should keep track of their weight and health. Your frog should reach two years of age. After that, their weight should remain fairly consistent.
Internal parasites are another possible health problem in this species.
Keep your frog’s enclosure warm to avoid parasites. Parasites can be avoided by keeping your frog’s enclosure warm.
Frog feces tend to be large and dark brown. If your frog doesn’t defecate or has feces that look unusual, there may be an underlying medical problem.
They Are Healthy
- You are hungry to eat.
- Consistent weight.
- Skin feels normal and looks natural.
Sickness Symptoms
- Disinterested in food.
- An abnormal weight gain.
- Dry, shriveled skin
Attachment
Pixie Frogs are found in dry, arid environments. They spend the majority of their year underground.
They only emerge from their hiding places after heavy rainfall, which is rare and often occurs only once a year in Southern Africa.
This species loves heavy rain, and their environment should reflect that.
For terrestrial animals that require water, it is important to have adult tanks.
Set up & Cage
Pixie Frogs don’t require a large enclosure. They can live in a 20 gallon tank. Pixie Frogs are semi-aquatic and can live in aquariums.
You should have stones, large rocks, and driftwood in an adult tank.
They don’t need to be able to hide or bask in a safe place.
They should also have a large, deep bathing tub with water that is about an inch to two inches deep. This keeps the humidity high and provides a place to wash and defecate.
- Tank Type: glass aquarium.
- Tank Size : 20-gallon
- Lighting – Low wattage fluorescent bulb.
- Substrate – layers of leaves
Pixie Frogs don’t require UVB light to light their tanks. It is easy to light them. A simple, low-wattage fluorescent bulb can be used.
An under-tank heater should be used to keep the tank at 75 degrees above ambient temperature.
The humidity should be maintained between 70% and 80%. This can be done by misting the tank every day and filling the bathing tub with water every day. Keep a humidity gauge in your tank.
For your Pixie Frog, it is best to use a substrate that can be wet. These are suitable substrates:
- Moss.
- Reptile bark.
- Layers of leaves
- Synthetic foam
Avoid loose substrates like gravel or sand, and avoid paper towels or newspapers that absorb too much water.
Every day, food, substrate and waste should be cleaned out. Water bowls should also be changed every day. Once a week, empty the tank completely and clean it with warm water and a bleach solution.
Baby Pixie Frog
When it is raining heavily, Pixie Frogs will only go out to mat.
Every four years, 60 males gather in ponds and puddles. The dominant males are located towards the middle.
They draw attention to a female by emitting a low pitched whoop which lasts for a few seconds.
Courtship takes place at night between 7pm-11pm. Females can lay up to 4,000 eggs per clutch.
They aren’t sticky eggs and just need to be sprayed into the water. They will hatch 48 hours after they are laid.
Because they are stronger and larger than the females, males are more involved in protecting tadpoles. They dig channels to release tadpoles stuck in dry puddles.
What Does a Pixie Frog Cost You?
Juveniles can be purchased for $25-$75 , depending on which breeder you choose. Because wild-caught frogs are rapidly disappearing, it is better to buy from a breeder than a pet shop.
Many breeders raise tadpoles from the time they are young and then sell them.
Look for a frog with clear eyes and green skin.
Housing Tadpoles and Juveniles
Two-inch long Tadpoles can be kept in their 20-gallon adult tank, which is filled with water.
Metamorphosis occurs within 20 days .
Your tadpoles should have plenty of water for swimming when they start to metamorphose into young adults. They need to be able to climb on a log or rock.
Although they should eat every day, the diet and husbandry needs of juveniles must remain the same.
| Common Name | Giant Pixie Frog |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pyxicephalus adspersus |
| Price | $25 to $75 |
| Size | 9 inches |
| Lifespan | 20-45 years |
| Diet | Gut-loaded insects, pinky mice and gut-loaded bugs |
| Tank Size | 20-gallon |
| Humidity and Temperature | Daytime temperature: 75 Humidity: 70% – 80% |
| Popular Alternatives | Pacman Frog Leopard Frog, White’s Tree Frog |
Summary
Pixie Frogs, a unique pet that is easy to care for, have quickly gained popularity.
These frogs make excellent beginner frogs and are great for anyone looking to get a large, unique amphibian that will eat almost everything you give it.
If you are looking for a smaller, more social frog that can be handled better and is easier to handle, White’s tree frogs or Pacman frogs might be a good choice.
If you think the Pixie Frog is the right frog, then start preparing to bring home an extremely large pet reptile.
