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| Lepidobatrachus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Lepidobatrachus laevis | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Anura |
| Family: | Ceratophryidae |
| Genus: | Lepidobatrachus Budgett, 1899 |
| Species | |
Lepidobatrachus asper(Budgett, 1899) | |
Lepidobatrachus is agenus ofceratophryididfrogs.[1][2] They are commonly known asParaguay horned frogs[1] orBudgett's frogs[3] (in honor ofJohn Samuel Budgett, who described the genus), although the latter technically describes a specific species,Lepidobatrachus laevis.[4]
Lepidobatrachus are found inSouth America, inParaguay,Argentina,Brazil, andBolivia.[1]
Lepidobatrachus frogs are generally a light, olivegreen in color, sometimes with lighter green oryellow mottling. They have a rounded, flattened body witheyes set high on their head. They have short limbs, which make them inefficient swimmers. They do not haveteeth, but they do have two sharp protrusions, common to allCeratophryidae, inside theirmouth, which serve the same purpose.
Lepidobatrachus frogs are incredibly adaptive animals whose reproductive patterns are very specific to environmental conditions. They are fast, and the reproductive season starts during the rainy season since they lay their eggs in ephemeral pools, which are seasonal pools of water that help aid in forming small ecosystems. After the eggs are laid, the tadpoles then go into a speedy development because those pools are short-lived. They develop much faster. also, compared to other frog species, tadpoles resort to cannibalism and eat many of their siblings because of the competition for resources.[5]
Budgett's frogs are very rarely found in a traditional chain pet shop. The most commonly available species isL. laevis. Due to their comical appearance, they tend to make an attractive option for the intermediate to advancedamphibian keeper. They have an average lifespan of about 10 years.