Budgett's frog or wide-mouth frog

Budgett'sfrog,or Wide-mouth frog (Lepidobatrachus laevis)

Phylum —chordata
Class — amphibia

Order —anura
Family —ceratophryidae

Genus –lepidobatrachus

Appearance

Females reach a size of 100 millimeters (3.9 in) while males sometimes only grow half as large. They have a large head that makes up to 1/3 of the body, with notably an extremely large mouth. Their mouth contains a top row of teeth and two "fangs" on the lower jaw. They have extremely short and stubby limbs and the forelimbs are unwebbed. Budgett's frog is dark olive green with darker blotches outlined in orange. The males have a dark blue throat.

Habitat

It is commonly observed in Paraguay and Bolivia, and less frequently in Argentina.

Behavior

The wide-mouth frog is well adapted to its environment, notably the harsh winter. During this time it will remain inactive underground in a cocoon of shed dead skin which protects it from losing water until they emerge.

This species is generally very aggressive and will puff up when threatened to appear larger. If this behavior does not deter the intruder they will make a shrill screech, bite, and corner the target.

They are nocturnal and hunt at night, submerged up to their nostrils waiting for prey to pass by. They then lunge and swallow the prey whole.

Diet

They feed on other frogs, insects, and snails. They have a reputation for being cannibalistic.

Reproduction

Budgett's frog is noted for their fascinating reproductive biology, such as how a single mating produces up to 1400 eggs. A pair will reproduce and deposit a mass of fertilized eggs in temporary pools of water. The embryo develops at a rapid rate over two weeks, in order to metamorphize into mobile adolescent form before the breeding pool dries up. The tadpoles are carnivores and cannibalistic at the time of hatching and have nearly adult jaws. They sexually mature in about a year.

Incaptivity

These frogs live for 15 to 20 years.

Budgett’s frogs are quickly gaining fame as a fun and interesting pet amphibian.Their appearance and fun personality have made this species an internet star.Despite their popularity, Budgett’s frogs can be hard for new keepers to care for. They need both terrestrial and aquatic habitats in their enclosure and so are more suited to experienced keepers.If kept properly this amphibian provides many years of fun.

Adults are happy to live in a 30-gallon aquarium that measures 30”x12”x12”. Due to their cannibalistic nature they should not be housed with other frogs.

A glass or plastic enclosure with a front-open design is ideal. This will help to preserve moisture and provide ease of access for their regular feeding.Half of the tank should have enough water to fully cover your frog and allow them to swim. You will need to use an aquarium heater to keep the water temperature between 76 and 82°F. Make sure the heater is securely attached to the tank and can’t be knocked loose by a swimming frog.You can build up a sloping area of stones or plexiglass to give your frog easy access to both the wet and dry parts of the tank.

These frogs are primarily nocturnal and so do not require any special lighting.

Temperatures in the tank should not exceed 77°F. Temperatures above 80°F can be fatal. Keeping the tank in a warm room should be enough to keep it around 77°F. Using two digital thermometers will provide an accurate reading of the surface temperatures.Under tank heaters should be avoided due to the possibility of burns to your frog if it burrows too far down.

Budgett’s frogs prefer high humidity of around 60 to 70%. To maintain a good humidity level you should use an organic potting soil and coconut fiber substrate. If you choose to use a loose substrate then you will need to feed your frog out of a dish. This will help to avoid impaction.

Finally, include lots of ceramic pots, PVC pipe cut outs, and shoeboxes. They will give your frog lots of places to hide. Make sure they are washed thoroughly and free from harmful chemicals or sharp edges.

When kept as pets it is best to feed Budgett’s frogs insects for many reasons:

• Insects are easier to find, feed and store when compared to mice or snakes.
• Insects can be fed without the risk of them seriously hurting your pet.
• It makes it easy to monitor their diet and maintain your pet’s weight.

Crickets, dubia cockroaches, earthworms, hornworms, and the occasional guppy fish are all excellent meal choices. Never feed your frogs wild-caught insects because these can potentially carry toxic pesticides or parasites.

Young frogs should be fed four to five times a week. Their portion size should be determined by how much they can eat in 15 minutes. As they grow decrease the feeding frequency to three times a week and feed larger meals (e.g. 5-6 large crickets).Always dust insects with a vitamin D3 supplement every other feeding time.

Do not try to hand-feed your frog. Budgett’s will take more than just the prey item and have a nasty bite. For the same reason, frogs should not be fed directly on loose substrate. They can accidentally eat it, which can lead to impaction (a potentially fatal intestinal obstruction).

Like many frogs they are highly sensitive to chemicals and pesticides. They are also susceptible to fungal infections and obesity.

Fungal infections are normally caused by a combination of high humidity, low airflow and poor cage cleanliness. These infections appear as white or flaky patches of skin. The fungus Chytridiomycosis is a widespread and deadly infection that is becoming more common in captive frogs.

Obesity is another common problem.

Wild frogs rarely get the chance to grow obese. However, pet species have a steady and reliable supply of food. They will continue to eat even after they are full. To keep your frog at a healthy weight you should carefully observe their body shape. Budgett’s frogs should be longer than they are wide. A frog that develops creases along its limbs is becoming obese. If you notice an adult rapidly gaining weight then decrease the amount of food offered until its weight stabilizes.

Due to their aggressive nature, strong jaw, and sharp fangs you should not handle this species. A bite is painful and may draw blood but it is not venomous. If your frog must be moved then coax it into a container.

During the winter your frog will go into a period of dormancy. It will dig under the substrate and create a cocoon of skin. In captivity frogs can be encouraged into dormancy by reducing the air temperature. Whilst reducing the air temperature you should also increase the frequency of feeding for two weeks. This will let your frog build its fat reserves. After two weeks stop feeding. Your frog should begin to estivate after a few days and should not be disturbed. Dormancy will last for two to three months.