Argentine Horned Frog

Argentine Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata) is also known as Bell's Horned Frog, the Argentine Wide-Mouthed Frog, Ornate Horned Frog, Ornate Horned Toad, and Ornate Pacman Frog. It was first described by Bell in 1843. It is a part of the Ceratophrys, Pacman, genus. It's only natural habitat is in South America. The population is dense and as such it is the most common horned frog.

Geographical Distribution

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Argentine Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata) geographical range - IUCN

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Argentine Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata) - (c) silviolamothe

C. ornata can be found in the grasslands of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay between 0m to 500m. Their habitat are grasslands near ephemeral bodies of water, irrigated cropland, and ditches.

Argentina

In Argentina they can be found in the Pampean region: This includes Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Entre Ríos, La Pampa, Mendoza, and Santa Fe provinces.

Brazil

The Brazilian population is found in the region of Rio Grande do Sul.

Appearance

Males grow to around 4.5in while females will grow to around 6.5in with large heads and wide mouths.. Like many frogs this species experiences sexual dimorphism. Females are substantially larger while males have dark pigmented throats and nuptial pads.

Coloration

Common coloration includes bright green with red markings, dark green, partial black, and red with dark markings.

Uruguay

The Uruguayan population presents with a dark green dorsal with brown, red, and yellow spots in addition to "V" shaped marking between the eyes. They may also have a brown coloration. Mouth edges are yellow.

Behavior

The average lifespan is 6 to 7 years however in captivity they have been recorded living up to 10 years.

C. ornata is fossorial and spends the autumn and winter period buried. It envelopes itself in a hardened cocoon to retain moisture.

Diet

As the rest of its genus it is an aggressive eater and ambush predator. Its diet includes -but is not limited to- frogs, insects, lizards, birds, snakes, and rodents.

Anything that passes by that can fit in its mouth it will grab and attempt to swallow whole. It often is found suffocated from attempting to consume prey that is too large.

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Argentine Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata) - (c) silviolamothe

Reproduction

Male C. ornatas will utilize their nuptial pads to assist in amplexus while fertilizing eggs. Females can lay clutches up to 2,000 eggs. Within two weeks of fertilization the eggs will hatch into tadpoles.

Breeding

Once the rainy season begins they will emerge and begin explosively breeding. Eggs will be laid at the bottom of the intermittent ponds.

Tadpoles

C. ornata will consume tadpoles, however they are not cannibalistic.

In more than 200 years of amphibian research it has never been observed that tadpoles make audible calls. The tadpoles can make a brief, clear, and metallic distress call underwater and outside of the water that lasts for 0.05 seconds. This is the first recorded species in which larva can communicate underwater through sounds, vertebrate and invertebrate. They are also the only vertebrate larva known to make sounds. The tadpoles can make these sounds as soon as three days after hatching.

File:Argentine Horned Frog Ceratophrys ornata - (c) silviolamothe.jpg

Argentine Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata) - (c) silviolamothe

Threats

• Residential & Commercial Development
• Hunting
• Pollution
• Agriculture
• Ranching
• Overharvesting for Pet Trade

Disappearance

Due to threats, it is rare in Argentina and it has disappeared from a couple of sites:

1. Rocha, in Laguna de Castillos, Uruguay
2. San Jose, in Delta del Tigre, Uruguay