Brazilian Horned Frog
Ceratophrys aurita is part of the Pacman genus of frogs, Ceratophrys. It was last classified as of Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List when it was last evaluated on 11 June 2020.[1] As well as being described as a Pacman frog it is colloquially referred to as the Brazilian Horned Frog and Ornate Horned Frog. Adult Brazilian Horned Frogs range in size from 5.5in to almost 9in making it one of the largest Ceratophryidae.[2]
Classifications[edit | edit source]
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C. aurita has been renamed several times since it was first described.
- Bufo auritus Raddi, 1823
- Rana macrocephala Wied-Neuwied, 1824
- Ceratophrys varius Wied-Neuwied, 1824
- Ceratophrys dorsata Wied-Neuwied, 1824
- Ceratophrys dorsata — Wied-Neuwied, 1827
- Stombus dorsatus — Gravenhorst, 1829
- Ceratophris clipeatus Cuvier, 1829
- Ceratophrys clypeata — Cocteau, 1835
- Ceratophrys varia — Cocteau, 1835
- Ceratophryne dorsata — Schlegel, 1858
- Ceratophrys aurita — Bokermann, 1966
- Ceratophrys aurita —Lynch, 1982
Appearance[edit | edit source]
It's typical coloration is a combination of browns, greens, and yellows. They have large eyes on top of their heads as well as a bumpy texture all over their body. Aurita has a light stomach that is speckled black and two horns triangularly shaped extended from the eyelids.
Sex[edit | edit source]
Females of the species typically do not croak or chirp, but there have been few cases in which they have been observed emitting these sounds.[3] Ceratophrys aurita, similar to the rest of the genus, experiences sexual dimorphism. Once a male has reached adulthood you can differentiate them from their female counterparts as they will develop nuptial pads.
Geographical Distribution[edit | edit source]
Endemic to Brazil and small parts of northern Argentina it can be found at an elevation of 1,000m. It has become popular among the hobbyist trade, though not as popular as Ceratophrys cranwelli. It can be found, naturally, in temporary or permanent freshwater marshes, ponds, streams, bodies of freshwater, and tropical moist lowland forests under leaf litter and rarely in or around forest edges.[2][4]
Its home range are within the Cattinga and Atlantic forest biomes in the states of Bahia, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo in Brazil.[4]
Lifespan[edit | edit source]
Pacman frogs, the Ceratophrys genus, tend to live between one (1) and six (6) years in the wild, but have been observed to reach 15 years and older in captivity.
Diet[edit | edit source]
Similar to other frogs within its genus Ceratophrys aurita have vomerine teeth and maxillary teeth. Ceratophrys aurita is carnivorous and catches its prey by remaining inactive and grabbing prey that is unfortunate enough to pass by within reach through saltation locomotion. That prey could include insects, lizards, snakes, rodents, and other frogs. They can swallow prey that is their own size and the prey is killed by its powerful jaws. The bite is so strong that the frog will hold on to the prey until it is swallowed or made to let go.
Ceratophrys aurita has been estimated to have a bite force of 500 newtons which is similar to some medium and large-sized mammalian carnivores.[5][6] When feeding a Ceratophrys aurita it is important to not come within range of its mouth or you risk injury to yourself and your frog.
The genus does engage in cannibalism and have been known to eat their mates, typically the female eating the male due to the sexual dimorphism within the species.
Reproduction[edit | edit source]
C. aurita breeds in temporary and permanent pools of water, ponds, and sometime swimming pools. Once the eggs have hatched the tadpoles solely eat tadpoles of other species[4] though they can engage in cannibalistic behavior when faced with a limited food supply.
Captivity[edit | edit source]
Just as the rest of the genus C. aurita thrive in captivity in the proper setting. The most sought after Brazilian Horned Frogs have tall horns rising about their eyes.
Threats[edit | edit source]
- Residential & Commercial Development
- Agriculture
- Aquaculture
- Logging
- Hunting & Trapping[4]
Other Names[edit | edit source]
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Brazilian Horned Frog |
| German | Schildhornfrosch |
| German | Brasilianischer Schmuckhornfrosch |
| German | Riesenhornfrosch |
| Japanese | ブラジルツノガエル |
| Portuguese | Sapo-Entanha-Brasileiro |
| Russian | Бразильская рогатка |
| Russian | Изменчивая рогатка |
| English | Pacman Frog |
| Chinese | 巴西角蛙 |
| English | Ornate Horned Frog |
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ IUCN Red List https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/56335/172216557
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ceratophrys aurita - https://www.pierrewildlife.com/searchspecies/amphibians/anura/hornedfrogs/ceratophrysaurita/
- ↑ Brazilian Horned Frog https://earthpedia.earth.com/animal-encyclopedia/chordata/ceratophryidae/ceratophrys-aurita/
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Brazilian Horned Frog, IUCN Red List - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/56335/172216557
- ↑ Meet ‘Jaws’, the South American horned frog with a big bite https://theconversation.com/meet-jaws-the-south-american-horned-frog-with-a-big-bite-80750
- ↑ Bite force in the horned frog (Ceratophrys cranwelli) with implications for extinct giant frogs https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-11968-6