A little damp, very welcome.
African Clawed Frog
Xenopus laevis
Also called Xenopus, Platanna, African clawed toad, African claw-toed frog
From Sub-Saharan Africa, from Nigeria and Sudan south to South Africa, in warm still ponds, dams, canals and quiet streams, including in dry regions. Introduced populations now exist on several other continents.123
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Approximate typical adult weights: about 60 g (2 oz) for males and 200 g (7 oz) for females
Looks how to spot one
Smooth, slippery, flattened aquatic frog
A streamlined, flat-bodied frog with smooth, slippery skin, upward-facing eyes and large webbed back feet. Three toes on each hind foot end in small black claws. It has no tongue and no visible ears, and a row of stitch-like sense organs (a lateral line) runs along its sides. Females are much larger and rounder than the slim males.21
Personality what they are like
Calm and fairly sedentary, happy to hang in the water or rest on the bottom between bursts of activity. A frog to observe rather than handle: out of water it is clumsy and crawls rather than hops.23
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A capable swimmer that spends nearly all its life underwater, foraging along the bottom and rising to the surface.23
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Care is all about the water: keep it clean and in a comfortable temperature range. Check local rules before getting one, as a permit is needed in several US states.21
Home where they are happiest
A fully aquatic tank with no land section needed. In the wild it thrives in still water of roughly 16-27 °C (60-80 °F).23
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Carnivorous scavenger. It eats insect larvae, worms, small crustaceans, snails, tadpoles and small fish, finding food by smell, touch and its lateral line rather than sight, then shovelling it in with its front feet and sucking it into its mouth.231
Company who they like around
Mostly solitary by nature. Note that it will try to eat anything small enough to fit in its mouth, including smaller frogs.21
The story where it all began
In the 1930s researchers found that this frog lays eggs when injected with urine from a pregnant woman, and it was used worldwide as a pregnancy test until the 1960s. That lab presence made it a key model animal: in 1962 it became the first vertebrate to be cloned, and in 1992 clawed frogs flew on the Space Shuttle Endeavour to study reproduction in zero gravity.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It has no tongue and uses its front feet to push food into its mouth.1
- 2
Males sing underwater with trilling calls made by contracting muscles in the larynx, and females answer with rapping or ticking sounds.1
- 3
It was the first vertebrate ever cloned, in 1962.3
- 4
When its pond dries up it can bury itself in mud and stay dormant for up to a year.3
- 5
It sheds its skin regularly and then eats it.1
- 6
Four female clawed frogs travelled to space on Space Shuttle Endeavour in September 1992.1
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern1
- US state law
- Owning, transporting or selling it without a permit is illegal in several US states, including California, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, Vermont, Nevada and Hawaii1
- Science
- A major laboratory model species; cloning work on it earned Sir John Gurdon the 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a African Clawed Frog. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingHow often depends on species and agevaries
- Temperature checkevery day
- Water changeAbout 20 to 25% of the waterevery week
- Water testevery week
- Filter rinseRinse in old tank water, never tap waterevery month
- Vet check-upFind a vet who sees exotic petsevery year
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my African Clawed Frog?
Feeding frequency depends on your frog's age and size. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests checking with a vet for a schedule tailored to your frog, as young frogs may need daily meals while adults can be fed every few days.23 Furry Diary plan
What does an African Clawed Frog eat, and what should it never eat?
Your frog is a carnivorous scavenger that enjoys insect larvae, worms, small crustaceans, and tiny fish. Never feed it anything that could be too large or harmful, and always follow the food label and your vet's advice for safe options.231
How much space does an African Clawed Frog need?
A fully aquatic tank with no land area is needed, and the size should allow for comfortable swimming and foraging. For exact gallon recommendations, ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet, as space needs vary with frog size.
What temperature, light or water does an African Clawed Frog need?
Keep the water between 16-27 °C (60-80 °F) as they thrive in still water. Furry Diary's plan suggests checking temperature daily and testing water weekly, with no special lighting needed beyond a normal day-night cycle.23 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean an African Clawed Frog's home?
Furry Diary's plan recommends a weekly 20-25% water change and a monthly filter rinse using old tank water, never tap water. Regular cleaning keeps the water healthy for your calm, aquatic frog.21 Furry Diary plan
Can an African Clawed Frog live with others?
They are mostly solitary by nature and will try to eat anything small enough to fit in their mouth, including smaller frogs. It's safest to house them alone or with similar-sized tank mates under expert guidance.21
How long does an African Clawed Frog live?
With proper care, these frogs can live between 15 and 30 years, so be ready for a long-term companion. Their calm, aquatic lifestyle contributes to this impressive lifespan.231
Can I handle an African Clawed Frog?
It's best to observe rather than handle, as they are clumsy and stressed out of water. Their smooth, slippery skin makes them hard to hold, and handling can harm their delicate bodies.23
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- African clawed frog - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for names, range, anatomy, lifespan, vocalisation, history, conservation, US regulation, fun facts
- Xenopus laevis - Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan) animaldiversity.orgused for range, size and weight by sex, lifespan, colours, anatomy, diet, behaviour, water temperature
- African clawed frog - Smithsonian's National Zoo nationalzoo.si.eduused for size and weight by sex, lifespan, diet, behaviour, habitat temperature, fun facts
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.