World’s Largest Frog: Working with Goliath Frogs

[findi]

Hi All,

Pac Man Frogs, African Bullfrogs and Marine Toads usually take center stage when talk turns to giant frogs. But the real goliath among them is, well, the Goliath Frog…

As a child, my information on the Goliath Frog, Conraua goliath, was limited to a few brief sentences hidden away in various books, but this was enough to spark my interest. Eventually, a life-sized sculpture of one at the American Museum of Natural History (please see photo) gave me some idea of just how impressive a creature it was, and my desire to learn more intensified. Happily, I found a job at the Bronx Zoo shortly after a group of Goliath Frogs arrived there from Cameroon, and I was able to indulge my passion. One of my new charges spanned 25 inches with legs extended…nothing, not even the enormous African Bullfrogs and Marine Toads (or, for that matter, Leatherback Turtles!) that I had already handled prepared me for the sight of that amazing animal.
Read more here The World?s Largest Frog - Working with the Massive Goliath Frog That Reptile Blog
Please also check out my posts on Twitter http://bitly.com/JP27Nj.

Thanks, Frank
My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with That Pet Place welcomes Zoologist/Herpetologist Frank Indiviglio to That Reptile Blog | That Reptile Blog That Reptile Blog
Face Book http://on.fb.me/KckP1m

 

[skittles9]

thats awesome i love frogs!!!!

 

[findi]

thats awesome i love frogs!!!!

That's the perfect word for them...even old-timers are amazed upon first seeing one! Glad you enjoyed

best,. Frank

 

[JerseyWendy]

WOW that is absolutely impressive AND amazing!

Thanks SO much for the info. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it all.

How terrific that you get to work with these phenomenal animals!

 

[Kiwibird]

Mother nature sure makes some fabulous creatures! Ive never looked that much into frogs, but im very surprised there are ones out there that can grow to 25"! It must be very interesting getting to handle and observe one of these goliath frogs in person . I have always been interested in reptiles too, they are just so unique and fascinating.

Just a suggestion, but it might be nice somewhere on your blog to have a couple photos of some of your larger specimens with a point of reference (like a quarter or something) to give readers a better idea of just how big these guys get. I saw the photo of the frog on the paper, but it really didn't give a good gauge of how big he was. I'd be interested to see some other photos if you have any?

 

[findi]

WOW that is absolutely impressive AND amazing!

Thanks SO much for the info. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it all.

How terrific that you get to work with these phenomenal animals!

Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated> I have been very fortunate indeed in being able to follow my passion,

Glad you enjoyed, Frank

 

[findi]

Mother nature sure makes some fabulous creatures! Ive never looked that much into frogs, but im very surprised there are ones out there that can grow to 25"! It must be very interesting getting to handle and observe one of these goliath frogs in person . I have always been interested in reptiles too, they are just so unique and fascinating.

Just a suggestion, but it might be nice somewhere on your blog to have a couple photos of some of your larger specimens with a point of reference (like a quarter or something) to give readers a better idea of just how big these guys get. I saw the photo of the frog on the paper, but it really didn't give a good gauge of how big he was. I'd be interested to see some other photos if you have any?

Hi,

Thanks for the kind words, glad you enjoyed. I have been very fortunate in having such an enjoyable career.

Unfotunately, Goliath frogs are not being kept in any US zoos today, nor elsewhere it seems. I have one old photo of one in hand (2 hands!) but need to locate and load it onto my computer. However, this photo should give you some idea of just how large they are. Hope you enjoy, Frank

 

[Kiwibird]

Thanks for the pic link, that is a HUGE freaking frog! It's a shame there aren't any currently being kept in zoos right now, it seems like they would really be a draw for reptile exhibits and provide a very interesting and educational opportunity for regular people to observe. Is there any particular reason for that? Are they really difficult to keep in captivity or endangered?

 

[findi]

Thanks for the pic link, that is a HUGE freaking frog! It's a shame there aren't any currently being kept in zoos right now, it seems like they would really be a draw for reptile exhibits and provide a very interesting and educational opportunity for regular people to observe. Is there any particular reason for that? Are they really difficult to keep in captivity or endangered?

My pleasure...they would be a great draw, very shy but there are ways around that. They seem relatively hardy, haven't been bred by new techniques (hormone injections, rain chambers ) might help. Perhaps related to lack of contacts bet US, much of Europe, Japan and the 3 countries in which they live, political instability as well. Hope that changes, Best, Frank