Download AH amphib horn frogs

Argentine Horned Frog
Also called “Ornate Horned Frog”,
“Bell’s Horned Frog”, or “Pacman Frog”
LONGEVITY – ave. 6-7 yrs; up to 10 yrs.
RANGE – SA; Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay
HABITAT – grasslands/wetlands; freshwater-near temporary water (pools,
ditches, irrigated croplands); burrows in muddy vegetation forest floors
DIET – carnivore: insects, small birds, mammals, lizards, frogs; anything that can
fit in its mouth, and will even attempt things that are bigger than itself
REPRODUCTION – 1000-2000 eggs laid on the bottom of temporary ponds; ideally
will only take 2 weeks for complete metamorphosis (egg, tadpole, froglet)
ADAPTATION – diurnal; sits & waits for prey to approach; quickly attacks and
swallows whole; large mouth frog; bumpy texture & mottled coloration help them
camouflage into rainforest floor leaf litter; vomerine teeth (on roof of the mouth)
and teeth around the outside of the jaws
CONSERVATION – IUCN lists as “Near Threatened” since species is in
significant decline due to intense persecution, habitat loss, water/soil pollution;
persecuted due to mistaken belief they are venomous; rare in Argentina and has
disappeared from at least 2 sites in Uruguay
Chacoan Horned Frog
Also called “Cranwell’s Horned Frog”
or “Pacman Frog”
LONGEVITY – ave. 6-7 yrs; up to 10 yrs.
RANGE – Chacoan region of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay
HABITAT – terrestrial; grasslands/wetlands, tropical forests
DIET – carnivore; large portion consists of other frogs, also insects, worms,
mammals, birds, lizards; tadpoles are cannabalistic
REPRODUCTION – breeds during first heavy rains of the year; may not reproduce
every year; eggs scattered on the bottom of ponds; may metamorphise in 3 weeks
ADAPTATION – may estivate for months during cool droughts, remaining dormant
and surviving on stored fat deposits, plus develop a thick layer of skin to trap
moisture and aid respiration; often eats the skin layer after estivation period;
ambush predator; known to suffocate while attempting to eat animals they cannot
swallow; teeth make it nearly impossible to release prey after taking hold of it in
their mouths; camouflage with forest litter; nocturnal
CONSERVATION – IUCN lists as least concern; pops are common but declining in
southern part of range; local humans persecute due to mistaken belief it is
venomous; collected for pet trade