African Clawed Frog

Little Cause for Concern

Wild populations of African Clawed Frogs appear to be thriving.

Significant Cause for Concern

African Clawed Frogs have been introduced to South America, Europe, the United States, and Mexico. They were first brought to the U.S. in the 1930s and 1940s for laboratory use and later as aquarium pets. African Clawed Frogs are highly opportunistic and can easily colonize newly created isolated, bodies of water. Introduced populations often prey on native fishes and amphibians and displace native frogs. The species is also known to carry the infectious fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (also known as Bd) that causes Chytridiomycosis, a disease that can kill native amphibians.

Little Cause for Concern

There is no evidence that African Clawed Frogs are mistreated in the legal pet trade.

Significant Cause for Concern

African Clawed Frogs are known carriers of the highly infectious amphibian chytrid fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) which causes the disease Chytridiomycosis. This species is immune to Bd, but the fungus is a significant threat to most frog species. Bd has been linked to massive die-offs and recent extinctions of native frogs around the world. This fungus is thought to have originated in Africa; it was probably disseminated worldwide by the international trade in African Clawed Frogs for use in human pregnancy testing that began in the mid 1930s. To learn more about Chytridiomycosis and the symptoms of infection, we recommend reviewing the information on Amphibian Ark.

Frogs may also carry Salmonella, which if ingested can cause vomiting and diarrhea; these symptoms are usually mild in healthy adults but can be fatal to infants and young children, or anyone with a compromised immune system. It is important to wash hands before and after each time an animal is handled.