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Care sheet

African Bullfrog

Pyxicephalus adspersus

Also known as: Pixie Frog, Giant African Bullfrog

Pyxicephalidae · Anura

IntermediateIUCN LC
Activity
🌙 Nocturnal
Temperament
Defensive
Adult length
4–9.5 in
Adult weight
400–2000 g
Lifespan (captivity)
15–30 yrs
Native range
Sub-Saharan Africa — savanna grasslands

Care guide

Overview

African Bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) — The largest frog in mainland Africa and the keeper's introduction to amphibian aggression. Adult males reach softball-sized weights and have a bite that can draw blood — handle minimally and only with intent. Sexual dimorphism is dramatic: males are roughly twice the size of females. Long-lived (15-30 years), voracious, and absolutely will eat anything that fits. Provide deep moist substrate they can burrow into, a generous shallow water dish, and feeders proportional to age. Avoid rodent-heavy diets — pixies are prone to obesity and fatty liver disease. House individually; they are cannibalistic.

Environment

Climate

Cool side
72–78 °F
Warm side
78–85 °F
Nighttime
68–75 °F
Humidity (ambient)
50–70%
Shed-cycle boost
70–85%

Housing

Enclosure

Orientation
Terrestrial
Bioactive setup
Suitable
Minimum size by life stage
  • HatchlingSmall plastic bin or 5 gallon
  • Juvenile10 gallon / 20"L x 10"W x 12"H
  • Adult30+ gallon / 36"L x 18"W x 12"H for males; smaller for females

Housing

Substrate

Depth
4–6 in
Safe options
coco fiberABG mixmoist topsoilsphagnum moss
Avoid
sandgravelcedarpine

Nutrition

Diet & feeding

Dietary type
Strict carnivore
Prey size by life stage
  • HatchlingSmall crickets, fruit flies, springtails
  • JuvenileMedium crickets, dubia, nightcrawlers
  • AdultLarge insects, occasional rodent (pinky to fuzzy), nightcrawlers
Feeding frequency by life stage
  • HatchlingDaily
  • JuvenileEvery 2-3 days
  • AdultEvery 7-14 days
Supplementation

Dust insects with calcium + D3 at most feedings; multivitamin weekly. Adults benefit from variety — rodents should be occasional, not staple, to avoid fatty liver disease.

Care

Water & behavior

Water

Shallow water dish large enough for the frog to fully submerge; chlorine-free water only. Change frequently — pixies foul water fast.

Soaking behavior

Regular soakers. During dry seasons in the wild they aestivate in a cocoon several feet underground.

Brumation (optional)

Aestivates rather than brumates — burrows down and forms a mucus cocoon to wait out dry conditions. Captive pixies on stable humidity don't aestivate, but providing a deep substrate they CAN burrow in is good husbandry.

Defensive displays
open-mouth threat with audible bellowlunging bite (powerful — pixies have ossified teeth-like projections)puffing up to look larger

Legal & ecology

Conservation

IUCN Red List
LC · Least Concern

Citations

Sources

Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.

  1. African Bullfrog Care

    AmphibianCare.com

    breeder community

    Amphibian-keeping reference for Pyxicephalus adspersus with lifespan and feeding cadence guidance.

    Published: 2021-01-01

  2. African Bullfrog Care Guide

    ReptiFiles

    breeder community

    Multi-source husbandry reference for Pyxicephalus adspersus.

    Published: 2023-01-01