African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis)

Short answers

African clawed frog: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×40 cm aquarium.

African clawed frog: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 20–25 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 18–21 °C.

African clawed frog: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not essential.

African clawed frog: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 15–25 years.

African clawed frog: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

20–25 °C

Night temperature

18–21 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

Aquatic

UVB

Not essential

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×40 cm aquarium

Substrate

Water 25–35 cm deep, sand, robust furnishings

Feeding

Food

Frozen food, pellets, earthworms

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

10–13 cm (females larger)

Life expectancy

15–25 years

Origin

Southern Africa

Protection status

CAUTION: considered invasive in parts of Europe – releasing it is strictly prohibited

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Group keeping is possible (with similarly sized animals). Only put together animals of the same species and roughly the same size — smaller ones will otherwise be treated as food. Enough hides so that every animal can get out of the way.

Notes

Fully aquatic, very robust and long-lived. It eats anything that moves, including smaller animals of its own kind – only animals of the same size together. Never release it: as a carrier of the chytrid fungus epidemic it is dangerous to native amphibians.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Western clawed frog (Xenopus tropicalis) – Beginner
• Carvalho's Surinam toad (Pipa carvalhoi) – Intermediate
• Marsh frog (Pelophylax ridibundus) – Intermediate
• Edible frog (Pelophylax kl. esculentus) – Intermediate
• Surinam toad (Pipa pipa) – Expert
• Dwarf Surinam toad (Pipa parva) – Intermediate
• Dwarf clawed frog (Hymenochirus boettgeri) – Beginner
• African common toad (Sclerophrys regularis) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×40 cm aquarium), substrate (Water 25–35 cm deep, sand, robust furnishings), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.