Edible bullfrog (Pyxicephalus edulis)

Short answers

Edible bullfrog: How big does the enclosure need to be?

80×40×40 cm.

Edible bullfrog: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–30 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 19–23 °C.

Edible bullfrog: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended (UVB 2–5 %).

Edible bullfrog: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 10–20 years.

Edible bullfrog: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–30 °C

Night temperature

19–23 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

60–75 %

UVB

Recommended (UVB 2–5 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

80×40×40 cm

Substrate

Coco humus and sand 10–15 cm for burying, a shallow water dish

Feeding

Food

Large insects, roaches, earthworms

Feeding interval

1–2×/week

Key facts

Adult size

8–12 cm

Life expectancy

10–20 years

Origin

Eastern and south-eastern Africa – savannah

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

A dry rest of 8–12 weeks

Cohabitation

Keep singly: this is the only safe choice. The species is food-aggressive and can seriously injure conspecifics, and the genus is known to be cannibalistic. A group or pair is not recommended; males fight in the wild to the point of serious injury, so only put animals together briefly and under supervision for breeding.

Notes

Markedly smaller than Pyxicephalus adspersus and therefore better suited to normal terrarium sizes. In the trade it is often confused with adspersus as the "dwarf bullfrog" – as juveniles they are barely distinguishable.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Edible bullfrog (Pyxicephalus edulis) in the marketplace →

Related species

• African bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus) – Beginner to intermediate
• Amazonian horned frog (Ceratophrys cornuta) – Intermediate
• Brazilian horned frog (Ceratophrys aurita) – Intermediate
• Budgett's frog (Lepidobatrachus laevis) – Intermediate
• Caatinga horned frog (Ceratophrys joazeirensis) – Intermediate
• Chaco dwarf frog (Chacophrys pierottii) – Intermediate
• Cranwell's horned frog (Ceratophrys cranwelli) – Beginner
• Llanos frog (Lepidobatrachus llanensis) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Edible bullfrog (Pyxicephalus edulis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40×40 cm), substrate (Coco humus and sand 10–15 cm for burying, a shallow water dish), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.