Home > Animals > Amphibians > African Clawed Frog

African Clawed Frog

(Xenopus laevis)

 

Category: Amphibians

 

 

This species of frog is completely aquatic and has no tongue or teeth. They shove food into their mouth and down their throats using their hands, or suck in their food (which can be almost anything) using a hyobranchial pump system. They are common in the ponds and rivers in the south-eastern portion of Sub-Saharan Africa, and are also popular as aquarium pets.

Find more information about the African Clawed Frog at Wikipedia and Reptiles Magazine.

 

Data & Facts

Scientific Classification
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Amphibia
Order - Anura
Family - Pipidae
Genus - Xenopus
Kingdom - X. laevis

 
Did you know?
Interesting Animal Facts

Make sure you retract your eyes 30 times before swallowing!

It has long been known that Frogs retract their eyes and close them while eating, leading scientists to suspect that frogs use their eyes to help them swallow. This suspicion was finally confirmed in 2004, when the northern leopard frog was observed by scientists retracting its eyes while swallowing crickets, actually using them to help push the food toward its esophagus!

Learn more >>

 


NAIA - National Animal Interest Alliance Discover Animals is a web-based educational resource offered by the NAIA
To learn more about the NAIA or about other NAIA programs, visit us at www.NAIAOnline.org
if you would like to help, join or support the NAIA or any of its programs please click here >>