African Clawed Frog

Overview

African clawed frogs are flat-bodied, fully aquatic frogs with upward-facing eyes, no tongue and no visible ear. Their webbed hind feet carry hard black "claws" on the three inner toes ¹⁴. Males are about 2 to 2.5 inches long and females 4 to 4.5 inches, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo. The RSPCA says females can reach about 15 cm ¹². They commonly live 10 to 15 years, and Flinn Scientific says 20 is not uncommon with good care ¹²³. They're also among the most studied frogs in science. They were long used in laboratories and were once even used as human pregnancy tests ¹.

Before you buy: this species is invasive where released, and some U.S. states ban or restrict it. See Legal & ethics below ⁴⁵.

Natural history

They're native to sub-Saharan Africa, where they prefer warm, still pools and quiet streams with muddy bottoms ¹². They're almost totally aquatic, leaving water mainly to move to a new pond, and can bury in mud when a pond dries ¹. A lateral line of vibration sensors along the body helps them find food in murky water. Their front fingers shovel food into the mouth, and the hind claws tear it up ¹². They eat almost anything that moves, including other frogs, fish and their own tadpoles ¹⁵.

Enclosure

• Size. Flinn Scientific suggests a 10-gallon aquarium for one frog, plus about 5 gallons of water per additional adult. Choose long over tall ³.
• Water depth. Flinn suggests 7–12 inches ³. The RSPCA says water should be deep enough for frogs to lie fully submerged away from the surface and to turn in any direction ².
• Lid. Fit a tight lid without metal parts. Escaped frogs dry out and die quickly, and metal is toxic to them ³.
• Floor. Leave it bare or use large rocks, never small gravel, which they swallow ²³. Opaque or dark tank floors reduce stress ².
• Cover. Add smooth, cleanable hides such as tubes, pots or "caves" ²³. Expect live plants to be uprooted ³.
• Company. Keep them in groups of similar size. Group housing encourages normal feeding and reduces fear, but avoid crowding, which leads to injuries at feeding time ². Don't house them with other species ³.
• Water flow. They sense water movement, so keep vibration low and any filtration very gentle. Flinn considers a filter optional for this reason ²³.

Temperature & lighting

The RSPCA advises keeping water between 16 and 24°C (about 61–75°F), since temperatures outside that range stress the frogs and increase disease risk ². Flinn suggests room temperature of about 20 to 25°C (68–75°F), using an aquarium heater only if needed ³. Keep the tank out of direct sun on a 12-hour light cycle ³. The RSPCA suggests 12–14 hours of light with gentle dawn and dusk transitions, and recommends considering UV for long-term housing, while Flinn treats extra UV as optional ²³.

Humidity

Not applicable for this fully aquatic frog. Water quality is what matters. Use water free of chlorine and chloramine, and from ammonia and nitrite ³⁶. Flinn changes water daily in unfiltered tanks and does a full clean every 1–2 weeks. They're very sensitive to chemicals, so don't use cleaners ³.

Substrate

A bare floor or large, unswallowable rocks ²³.

Diet & supplementation

• Foods. Earthworms, bloodworms, small crickets, waxworms, small guppies, or a commercial frog diet ³.
• Amount and schedule. 3–4 items per frog, or what it eats in about 10 minutes, 3–4 times a week. Remove leftovers ³.
• Avoid sinking pellets that look like gravel, and feeder goldfish or rosy red minnows ³.

Handling & temperament

Clawed frogs are slippery, easily dropped and easily stressed, so handle them only when necessary ²³. Sources differ on nets. The RSPCA recommends a deep, soft mesh net with gloved hands, while Flinn warns that nets can tangle and injure their feet and prefers wet hands or a cup ²³. Either way, be gentle and quick. Wash your hands afterward, since amphibians can carry Salmonella and clawed frogs can carry other diseases ⁴⁸.

Health

Common issues

• Poor water quality. Overcrowding, rough handling and dirty water are the main welfare problems ².
• Bacterial and fungal infections, including red leg ⁷.
• Impaction from swallowed gravel ³.

A healthy clawed frog is placid, moderately slimy and pear-shaped ². They tend to hide signs of illness, so watch closely ².

When to see a vet

See an amphibian vet for redness, swelling, skin sores or cottony growths, excess shedding, weakness or loss of balance, or appetite loss ⁷.

Breeding overview

Clawed frogs mature at about 10 to 12 months ¹³. Males call with clicking sounds, and females answer with acceptance or rejection calls ¹. Adults eat tadpoles and tadpoles eat each other, so they must be separated ³.

Legal & ethics

African clawed frogs have become invasive in parts of the world, including southern California, after escapes and releases from labs and homes ¹⁵. They prey on and outcompete native wildlife and can carry chytrid fungus ⁵.

• Washington classifies them as a prohibited species. They may not be possessed, bought, sold, bred, transported or released, and the state asks people not to keep them as pets ⁴.
• California lists them as restricted animals, which can't be imported, transported or possessed without a permit ⁵.

Rules vary elsewhere, so check your state and local laws before buying. Never release one into the wild ³⁴.

Sources

1. African clawed frog · Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
2. African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis): Good practice for housing and care · RSPCA
3. Xenopus laevis, African Clawed Frog (care guide) · Flinn Scientific
4. African clawed frog · Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
5. Fact sheet: African clawed frog · California Department of Fish and Wildlife
6. Housing for Amphibians · Merck Veterinary Manual
7. Common Infectious Diseases of Amphibians · Merck Veterinary Manual
8. Salmonella, Feeder Rodents, and Pet Reptiles and Amphibians · U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Last reviewed 2026-10-24 by Novel Fauna. This guide is general husbandry information, not veterinary advice. When an animal is sick, see a veterinarian experienced with exotic animals.

Revision history

1. 2026-10-24 Library: fix source frontmatter, hognose difficulty, fallback guide links, hero copy a22966a
2. 2026-10-24 Library: 50 cited care guides, /library/[slug] route, coming-soon cards, SLUGS.txt synced to species.guide_slug 228ce54

Evidence grades: Novel Fauna editorial: source classification, not yet expert-reviewed, 2026-10-25. What the grades mean.

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