Xenopus African Clawed Frogs

Xenopus African Clawed frog female

These unusual and fascinating frogs are new to the Franklin Zoo & Wildlife Sanctuary coming from Auckland Zoo.

Its name is derived from the three short claws on each hind foot, which it uses to tear apart its food. The word Xenopus means “strange foot” and laevis means “smooth”. They are tongueless, toothless and completely aquatic.

Habitat: The species is found throughout most of Africa, and in isolated, introduced populations in North America, South America, and Europe. In the wild, Xenopus laevis are native to wetlands, ponds and lakes across arid/semiarid regions of southern Africa.

Diet: Xenopus frogs are scavengers and will eat almost anything living, dying or dead and any type of organic waste.

Xenopus African Clawed Frog