While many believe that bullfrogs are named after their large size, they are actually named bullfrogs because of their loud, deep call, which resembles the moo of a cow.
They are also the largest species of frog and can grow up to 8 inches and weigh over 1 lb.
This article is going to provide you with some information on 4 of the biggest bullfrogs you can find in the world, starting with the Goliath bullfrog.
Many people wonder if there are any differences between a green frog and a bullfrog.
Both are amphibians that share a resemblance to one another, but there are a few differences between them.
One of the main differences is their size. Bullfrogs tend to weigh around 1 pound more than green frogs and are around 6 inches in length (some of the larger species measure longer).
Green frogs, on the other hand, are smaller than bullfrogs, weighing around 3 punches, and measuring only 3.5 inches in length.
Both species have a similar coloring of green, brown, and occasional yellow, and they both also have large eyes, webbed back feet, and bumpy skin.
However, a big difference between them is their dorsolateral ridge. These are prominent skin folds that can be seen on both species.
On green frogs, these folds begin behind their eyes and go around the upper part of their tympanum before running down the entire length of their flanks.
On bullfrogs, however, these folds are different.
On this species, the ridge begins behind the eye, goes around the tympanum, and then makes its way down the cheek of the frog, rather than running down the entire length of the body.
They also have different songs, which refer to the calls both species make. The bullfrog makes a deep, long, two or three-noted song.
On the other hand, green frogs only make a single-noted song and resemble more of a banjo or plucking of a string.
Goliath Bullfrog
The Goliath bullfrog is the largest frog on the globe. It can reach a length of 12.6 inches and has the ability to weigh up to 7.3 lbs, resembling the size of a regular house cat!
They normally live in Africa in the rainforests of Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon. They can live up to 15 years in the wild, and a whopping 20 years in captivity.
The reason for them living for less time in the wild is due to degradation and habitat loss, and being hunted as a food source.
Goliath Bullfrogs also lack a vocal sac, so they cannot produce any kind of mating call.
They need to be close to the water just like other amphibians, and at night you can see them lounging on top of rocks looking for fish to gobble up.
Their size is so fascinating, that many of these frogs get exported to zoos and pet trades.
Chilean Helmeted Bullfrog
Also known as the helmeted water toad, or wide-mouthed toad is an amphibian found in Central Chile.
These bullfrogs are known as the second-largest in the world, just behind the Goliath bullfrog. They can reach up to 12.5 inches and can weigh up to 6.5 lbs.
Unlike their larger counterparts, these bullfrogs have a very aggressive mating call that is specifically used to call other amphibians of the same species.
They tend to be found in a variety of colors, such as green, yellow and brown, and they turn a slightly gray color as they get older.
Helmeted water toads normally feed on birds, fish, invertebrates, and other frogs, and they are aquatic frogs, found in freshwater habitats.
Unfortunately, they are a vulnerable species due to their decline. This is because of hunting, disease, and pollution.
African Bullfrog
The third-largest bullfrog in the world is the African bullfrog. They are also known as the Pixie Frog, and they live in the southern parts of Africa.
Some of these countries include Zimbabwe, Tanzania, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, and Namibia.
They can grow up to 10 inches in length, and they tend to have green backs with cream or white stomachs. Many of them also have yellow/orange coloring on their sides.
Their size can be compared to that of a football, and they have larger skulls and rounder bodies than other amphibians.
African bullfrogs are cannibalistic in nature and enjoy eating small mammals such as mice, fish, snakes, and other small reptiles.
When temperatures get too dry or cold, they bury themselves as they prefer moist conditions. Then, when rainfall hits, they emerge and begin to breed.
They are one of the preferred species to keep as pets as they have a docile nature and a lifespan of over 20 years!
American Bullfrog
The fourth-largest bullfrog in the world, is the American bullfrog. They can reach up to 8 inches long and can reach weights of up to 3 lbs.
They can be found in areas such as Canada, Eastern United States, South America, Europe, and Asia, and given their large size, and equally large appetites, they tend to dominate whatever area they live in.
American bullfrogs can be found in different shades of green and brown, and tend to have all kinds of spots and blotches covering them up.
Their color makes it easy for them to hide away from their prey. They tend to sit quietly, blending into the background.
Then, when their prey is least expecting it, they will jump and stick their tongues out before returning to the water.
They are also known for the deep call they create, resembling the moo of a cow.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, the four largest bullfrogs in the world are the Goliath bullfrog, the Chilean Helmeted bullfrog, the African bulldog, and the American bullfrog.
They range in size from around 8 to 12 inches long, with some resembling a football, and others resembling a full-grown house cat!
While many confuse bullfrogs with regular green frogs, there are a few differences that make it easy to tell them apart.
Firstly, bullfrogs tend to be bigger and heavier than green frogs.
They also have different skin folds to green frogs, as the dorsolateral ridge on bullfrogs runs down their cheek, rather than follow the length of their entire body as they do for green frogs.
Their frog song is also fairly different from each other. Bullfrogs have a longer, deeper song, whereas green frogs have a shorter, higher-pitched song.
We hope this article has provided you with a good understanding of the four largest bullfrogs in the world.
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