| Pyxicephalus | |
|---|---|
| |
| African bull frog Pyxicephalus adspersus | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Pyxicephalidae |
| Subfamily: | Pyxicephalinae |
| Genus: | Pyxicephalus Tschudi, 1838 |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Maltzania Boettger, 1881 | |
Pyxicephalus (πυξίς, pyxis = "(round) box," κεφαλή, kephalē = "head") is a genus of true frogs from Sub-Saharan Africa, commonly referred to as African bull frogs or bull frogs.[1] They are very large (P. adspersus) to large (remaining species) frogs, with females significantly smaller than males.[2] They may take decades to reach their full size potential and they are some of the longest-living frogs, possibly able to reach ages as high as 45 years.[3]
These bulky and voracious predators will eat any animal (including small vertebrates and conspecifics) they can fit in their large mouth that has two fang-like projections on the lower jaw, but they are themselves commonly eaten by humans, predatory birds, mammals and monitor lizards. They remain hidden—they are fossorial—for much of the year, but emerge to breed in temporary pools after rains. The tadpoles often are guarded by the male.[2][3]
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Frostwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Scott, E.; J.D. Visser; C.A. Yetman; L. Oliver; D.G. Broadley (2013). "Revalidation of Pyxicephalus angusticeps Parry, 1982 (Anura: Natatanura: Pyxicephalidae), a bullfrog endemic to the lowlands of eastern Africa". Zootaxa. 3599 (3): 201–228. doi:10.11646/zootaxa.3599.3.1. hdl:2263/57608. PMID 24613871.
- ^ a b Channing, A.; K.M. Howell (2006). Amphibians of East Africa. Cornell University Press. pp. 318–324. ISBN 9783930612536.