Discover the 10 Largest Bullfrogs In The World

There are over 5,000 frog species in the world, with each varying in size, color, and location. Frogs are amphibians and need an aquatic habitat to breed and keep moist. Bullfrogs are the largest type of frog and are usually the dominant species where they are present. Their size gives them an advantage over other frogs, which is why bullfrogs often become invasive species. Continue reading to learn about the 10 largest bullfrog species in the world.

10. Giant Banjo Frog 

The giant banjo frog (Limnodynastes interioris) is a burrowing species endemic to Australia, also called the giant bullfrog, or great bullfrog. This species lives in forests, swamps, savannas, and grasslands. Giant banjo frogs live in moist or dry environments near freshwater sources such as lakes, ponds, rivers, or swamps. They spend the majority of their life underground but will emerge in heavy rainfall to breed. 

Giant banjo frogs measure 3.5 inches long as adults. They have round bodies and short legs, perfect for digging. Their coloring ranges from pale yellow to brown, and they are covered in white dots on their sides, with yellow markings appearing on their chest and sides. Habitat loss is the biggest threat they face, but they still have a healthy population.

9. Jerdon’s Bullfrog 

Jerdon’s bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus crassus) inhabits Eastern India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh, living in grasslands and open plains. As adults, they spend most of their time in burrows. In dry seasons, they will estivate, becoming dormant, as water is necessary for their survival and breeding. These frogs can tolerate waters with higher salinity.

Females measure up to 3.9 inches long, and males up to 3.1 inches. Tan, yellow, and olive green are common body colors. Some are covered in dark spots, with yellow markings around their legs and belly. Yellow ridges run down their backs, and they have circular eardrums on each side of their face.

8. Crowned Bullfrog 

The crowned bullfrog (Hoplobatrachus occipitalis) is a species that has a wide range over Sub-Saharan Africa. They live in wet grasslands, rivers, lakes, springs, forests, and ponds. Forests are their primary habitat, and they will breed in any available freshwater. Crowned bullfrogs are nocturnal and hide in dens, under rocks, or in vegetation along rivers during the day.

The largest crowned bullfrogs measure up to 4 inches. They have green coloring and are covered in dark spots. Warts and bumps cover their backs, giving them a granular appearance. Crowned bullfrogs are aquatic and spend most of their life in water, leaving only to migrate. Their diet consists of insects, beetles, and spiders.

7. Chinese Edible Frog 

Chinese edible frogs (Hoplobatrachus rugulosus) are also known as the East Asian bullfrog or Taiwanese frog. They measure up to 4.5 inches, with females being larger. Chinese edible frogs are green, tan, or yellow. Some have ridges, warts, or a dark mottled leopard-like pattern covering their back. Their stomachs are white or pale yellow. Open land near freshwater is their primary habitat.

The Chinese edible frog’s large size and abundance are why they are a culinary staple for the region. They are farmed in Malaysia, Thailand, and Sichuan, China, where they are widely sold in wet markets and seafood markets. However, these frogs are also popular pets in Asia.

6. Edible Bullfrog

Edible bullfrogs (Pyxicephalus edulis) are an African species of bullfrog. This species lives in flooded grasslands, meadows, and marshes. Like other edible frogs, this species is a culinary staple in its native regions. In some areas, their population has drastically declined because of overhunting.

Edible bullfrogs are olive to light green, with some having a faint dorsolateral stripe running down their back. Other names for the edible bullfrog include lesser bullfrog, Peter’s bullfrog, and the Pixie frog. Pixie frog is also a common name for the African bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus), with which this species is sometimes confused. Both frogs are a part of the genus Pyxicephalus, but the edible bullfrog is smaller, with males measuring up to 5.4 inches.

5. Asian Bullfrog

Asian bullfrogs (Hoplobatrachus tigerinus) are found in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and other Southeast Asian countries. They have also become invasive in Madagascar and the Andaman Islands. These frogs inhabit wetlands and areas with a permanent water source. They hide in holes, under debris, and in vegetation on land.

Asian bullfrogs are nocturnal and prey on mice, insects, frogs, snakes, and small birds. Adults measure up to 6.6 inches and have olive-green or gray coloring. They have dark blotches on their back and legs. Their underside is white, and males have dark throats with inflatable vocal sacs.

4. American Bullfrog

American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) are also called North American bullfrogs and are endemic to the Eastern United States and parts of Canada. American bullfrogs are a highly invasive species and have found their way all over the United States, Mexico, South America, Europe, and Asia. Their large size and appetite make them a dominant species wherever they go. Lakes, ponds, rivers, and shallow freshwaters are their primary habitats.

Some American bullfrogs have been documented to measure approximately 8 inches and weigh up to 3 pounds. They come in shades of green and brown, with blotches and spots covering them. American bullfrogs tend to harm the populations of native species, as they will feed on them and compete with them for food sources.

3. African Bullfrog 

Giant African bullfrogs (Pyxicephalus adspersus) live in South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. Males are larger than females and can measure 10 inches. African bullfrogs have green backs with white or pale cream stomachs. Orange and yellow coloring appear on their sides. Large skulls and round bodies are noticeable features of this species. 

African bullfrogs are found in moist climates and will spend their time buried if temperatures are too dry or cold. Heavy rainfall brings this species out from underground and triggers breeding. Their large size and variety of color patterns make them popular pets. Their docile nature, easy care routine, and lifespan of over 20 years make them one of the best frog species to keep as a pet.

2. Chilean Helmeted Bullfrog 

The Chilean helmeted bullfrog (Calyptocephalella gayi), also known as the helmeted water toad or wide-mouth toad, is found in Central Chile. They are the world’s second-largest frogs, measuring up to 12.5 inches long. These frogs are yellow, green, and brown, and become grey with age. Their diet consists of fish, invertebrates, small birds, small mammals, and other frogs. They will prey on anything they can overpower and swallow whole.

Chilean helmeted bullfrogs are primarily found in freshwater habitats, as they are aquatic frogs. Their population is listed as Vulnerable and declining because of disease, pollution, and hunting. Farms breed this species for food, yet this is still not enough to stabilize their population. Invasive African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis) have also brought diseases deadly to Chilean helmeted bullfrogs. 

1. Goliath Bullfrog 

Goliath bullfrogs (Conraua goliath) are the largest extant frogs, with a record length of 12.6 inches and a weight of 7.3 pounds. They live in Africa, within the rainforests of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. This frog has a small range and population. Goliath bullfrogs are listed as Endangered because of habitat loss and the collection of specimens for food and pets.

Crocodiles, snakes, and humans hunt the goliath bullfrog in the wild. These frogs need rivers with dense vegetation and humid temperatures to survive. They prey on birds, small mammals, and other animals they come across. Tadpoles of this species feed exclusively on Podostemaceae, which only grow in fast-moving waters within their range. Preserving their habitat is crucial, as not many areas exist that are suitable for this species. Being kept in zoos and terrariums is one way this species is being preserved, but they have been unable to breed in captivity.