Amphibians of East Africa
Remarkable adaptations from rainforest streams to seasonal savanna pools.
African Bullfrog
Least Concern
Scientific Name: Pyxicephalus adspersus
Weight Range: 1.5 - 3.3 lbs (0.7 - 1.5 kg)
Key Detail: One of Africa's largest frogs; males guard tadpoles and dig channels to connect pools.
Red-eyed Tree Frog
Least Concern
Scientific Name: Leptopelis vermiculatus
Weight Range: 0.2 - 0.4 oz (6 - 12 g)
Key Detail: Striking red eyes and bright green body; nocturnal canopy dweller in Eastern Arc Mountains.
African Clawed Frog
Least Concern
Scientific Name: Xenopus laevis
Weight Range: 2 - 8 oz (60 - 230 g)
Key Detail: Fully aquatic with clawed hind feet; used worldwide in pregnancy tests historically.
Painted Reed Frog
Least Concern
Scientific Name: Hyperolius marmoratus
Weight Range: 0.1 - 0.2 oz (3 - 6 g)
Key Detail: Incredibly variable colors and patterns; males call from reeds at night with distinctive trills.
Bubbling Kassina
Least Concern
Scientific Name: Kassina senegalensis
Weight Range: 0.3 - 0.5 oz (8 - 15 g)
Key Detail: Distinctive bubbling call like water droplets; runs rather than hops across savanna.
Angola River Frog
Least Concern
Scientific Name: Amietia angolensis
Weight Range: 0.5 - 1.5 oz (15 - 45 g)
Key Detail: Fast-flowing stream specialist; tadpoles have large oral suckers to cling to rocks.
Common African Toad
Least Concern
Scientific Name: Sclerophrys regularis
Weight Range: 1 - 3 oz (30 - 85 g)
Key Detail: Widespread across savannas; parotoid glands secrete bufotoxins for defense.
Natal Puddle Frog
Least Concern
Scientific Name: Phrynobatrachus natalensis
Weight Range: 0.05 - 0.1 oz (1.5 - 3 g)
Key Detail: Tiny frog breeding in temporary puddles; explosive breeders after rains.
Clicking Stream Frog
Least Concern
Scientific Name: Strongylopus grayii
Weight Range: 0.1 - 0.3 oz (3 - 8 g)
Key Detail: Distinctive clicking call like pebbles struck together; endemic to eastern and southern Africa.
Waterlily Reed Frog
Least Concern
Scientific Name: Hyperolius pusillus
Weight Range: 0.05 - 0.1 oz (1.5 - 3 g)
Key Detail: Translucent green skin; spends days sleeping on waterlily leaves, nights calling.
Mascarene Grass Frog
Least Concern
Scientific Name: Ptychadena mascareniensis
Weight Range: 0.3 - 0.7 oz (8 - 20 g)
Key Detail: Long-legged jumper of open grasslands; explosive leaps escape predators.
Greater Leaf-folding Frog
Least Concern
Scientific Name: Afrixalus fornasinii
Weight Range: 0.1 - 0.2 oz (3 - 6 g)
Key Detail: Females fold leaves with silk to create nest chambers for eggs above water.