Fun Brazilian Horned Frog Facts For Kids

Also known as the Brazilian horned Pacman frog in the pet trade industry, the Brazilian horned frog (Ceratophrys aurita) has gained quite a reputation in the exotic pet trade industry. The frog has derived its name from its appearance and geographical location. These amphibians are residents of Brazilian states and are exclusively enclosed within their boundaries. The plump, rounded body and folded horn-like eyes on top of their head render a prominent identity to the species. They come in bright, colorful shades mostly marked with green, tan, yellow, and brown. The color combination of their body helps these amphibians to camouflage among heaps of leaves in forest regions. However, the population of the Brazilian horned frogs has projected a significant decrease of late owing to unrestricted exploitative human activities. Human settlements, deforestation and clearing of forest covers, and agricultural practices have proved to be major contributors to habitat loss. Additionally, these amphibians are captured for their high commercial demand in the national as well as international pet trade industry. Keep reading to know more about this intriguing species.

If you want to get acquainted with some more awe-inspiring facts about other frog species then don't forget to peek into these facts about the leopard frog and poison frog.

What type of animal is a Brazilian horned frog?

The Brazilian horned frog (Ceratophrys aurita) of the Ceratophryidae family is species of frog. This otherwise difficult-to-find amphibian species is extremely popular in the international pet trade industry.

What class of animal does a Brazilian horned frog belong to?

Belonging to the Ceratophrys genus, the Brazilian horned frog has been classified under the Amphibia class.

How many Brazilian horned frogs are there in the world?

No conclusive remarks can be made regarding the population density and existing number of adult Brazilian horned frogs throughout the world due to the lack of quantification records. However, a decreasing population trend has been observed with the amphibian species.

Where does a Brazilian horned frog live?

As the very name suggests, the Brazilian horned frog is endemic to Brazil and can be found in the State of Bahia, south of Rio Grande do Sul, and inland to the State of Minas Gerais. The amphibian species is only limited within the geographical boundaries of Brazil.

What is a Brazilian horned frog's habitat?

The habitat range of the Brazilian horned frog mainly encompasses tropical and subtropical forests. They can be spotted among litters of leaf on the forest floor or even forest edges. The frog species can hardly be traced outside the forest covers. However, the breeding habitat of these frogs includes ponds, marshes, and sometimes swimming pools.

Who do Brazilian horned frogs live with?

The social behavior of the Brazilian horned frog lacks scientific research at length as they can sparsely be spotted but it is believed that they are asocial due to their antagonistic behavior towards their own kind.

How long does a Brazilian horned frog live?

The accurate details about the longevity of the Brazilian horned frogs are yet to be uncovered. Captive-bred horned frogs have an average life expectancy of 8-10 years. However, their lifespan is estimated to go up to 15 years.

How do they reproduce?

Detailed data about the breeding behavior of the species is currently not available. Usually, after copulation, the females lay eggs in water bodies and by two weeks tadpoles occur. In captive breeding, first, the dry season is imitated and then it is accompanied by the wet period. The male and female frogs are bred in natural conditions and then introduced inside rain chambers where the eggs are laid.

What is their conservation status?

As per the observations of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the conservation status of the Brazilian horned frog (Ceratophrys aurita) belonging to the Ceratophryidae family have been classified as of Least Concern. Although they're uncommon and very challenging to sight, these frogs can be spotted easily within their habitat range when searched for at the correct time.

What do Brazilian horned frogs look like?

*We've been unable to source an image of a Brazilian horned frog and have used an image of a tree frog instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Brazilian horned frog, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected]

Brazilian horned frogs (Ceratophrys aurita) are large frogs. They come in a wide range of colors interspersed primarily with green, yellow, tan, and brown. The females are generally larger than their male counterparts. Both males and females possess a broad mouth set with sharp teeth and short legs. The distinguishing feature is the eyes jutting out of the corners of their head like horns.

How cute are they?

When it comes to frogs and toads, the opinions about cuteness are divided. Innumerable reptile and amphibian lovers consider frogs to be extremely cute while others loathe the slimy, unattractive appearance that most of the common frogs possess. However, Brazilian horned frogs are considered to be very adorable for their grumpy, puffed-up appearance and are, therefore, quite popular as pets.

How do they communicate?

Horned frogs generally communicate via innumerable sounds and calls. They also interact by sensing motion, especially while hunting.

How big is a Brazilian horned frog?

To put it plainly, the Brazilian horned frogs are large. The average length of the species falls in the range of 10-12 in (25.4-30.4 cm). The Surinam horned frog measures around 8 in (20.3 cm). These frogs possess a gigantic size when contrasted with the smallest frog species, which grows up to a maximum length of 0.4 in (1 cm).

How fast can a Brazilian horned frog jump?

In general, horned frogs are not too agile or swift in their bodily movements. Their bulky body and comparatively tiny legs make them pretty weak at actions like jumping or hopping.

How much does a Brazilian horned frog weigh?

The accurate weight of the species still remains a mystery. Nevertheless, these amphibians are considered to be bulkier than other frogs due to their large size.

What are the male and female names of the species?

The males and females do not possess distinct names so they're commonly regarded as male and female frogs respectively.

What would you call a baby Brazilian horned frog?

Babies of a Brazilian horned frog are referred to as tadpoles, polliwogs, or even froglets.

What do they eat?

Brazilian horned frogs indulge in a carnivorous diet. Their diet chiefly comprises adult crickets, silkworms, and sometimes waxworms. They also consume birds, snakes, and mice. Normally, a horned frog possesses a voracious appetite and it feeds on anything that its large mouth can hold. These amphibians remain well concealed among piles and litter of leaves on the forest floor, waiting patiently for their prey. Once the prey enters its range, they plunge at it killing it instantly with its sharp teeth. They have a cannibalistic nature as they often devour their own lot including the tadpoles.

Are they dangerous?

Although the diet of these amphibians consists of tadpoles and frogs of the same species, they are pretty harmless to human beings. They are not known to be toxic but might cause allergic reactions in a few people while being handled physically. In fact, when reared as pets, they are not even dangerous to children. However, the South American horned frog can qualify to be an exception as it is known to exhibit some amount of aggression towards its prey.

Would they make a good pet?

If you wish to step out of the ordinary and have a taste for reptile and amphibian species then these horned frogs are the best choice for beginners. Similarly, Brazilian horned frogs are popularly bought and sold in the pet market. They can live and adjust perfectly in captivity provided that they're offered a proper diet, ideal living conditions, and care. Also, they need to be maintained solitarily as they can even kill their tank partners. The cost of the Brazilian horned frog is somewhere around $70.

Did you know...

The Brazilian horned frogs almost share a mythical stature among the circle of exotic pet collectors. It's not so easy to lay hands on the species due to which they have long been equated with the Holy Grail.

Who eats the Amazon horned frog?

Just like the Brazilian horned frogs, the Amazon horned frogs are not hunted down by any predators as such. They themselves are the major threats to their own species as they fight against and devour each other. While hunting, they display violent cannibalistic behavior.

Is Brazilian horned frog endemic? 

The Brazilian horned frogs (Ceratophrys aurita) can be found nowhere in the entire world except for Brazil. This captive-bred amphibian species is native to Brazil. These amphibians are replete in the State of Bahia, south of Rio Grande do Sul, and inland to the State of Minas Gerais.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these crocodile skink facts and common newt facts for kids.

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