African Dwarf Frog Lifespan

African dwarf frogs are of the genus Hymenochirus belonging to the family Pipidae, and are native to Congo, the Democratic Republic of Nigeria and Cameroon through Zaire Basin to east Zaire. The common characteristics of all the members of this family are that they have tapered heads, circular eyes without lids and do not have tongues. The female of the species is usually slightly larger than the male. The Zaire dwarf clawed frog has small spots, a brown to gray coloring and has claws on its rear feet. Read the given article to know about the African dwarf frog lifespan.

In accordance with their name, African dwarf frogs grow to the size of between 1'' to 1.5'' long from their nose to their toes. Male frogs develop a tiny gland called a post-axillary subdermal gland located on the back of the front leg, which appears as a whitish spot on the surface of the skin. The African dwarf frog starts to mature sexually at around nine months of age. Many prospective owners want to know what is the lifespan of an African dwarf frog; the most widely held belief is that average lifespan of this frog is approximately 5 years.

How to Care for African Dwarf Frogs

Tank: African dwarf frogs have become common household 'aquarium pets'. They need a gallon of water per frog that is aerated and filtered, along with a consistent temperature of 25°C (77°F) and a pH of 7.6 to 7.8. Use a filter that is quiet, such as the Whisper Power Filter, but if you do not use one, change the water at least once a week. African dwarf frogs need to come up to the surface to breathe, but as they aren't very powerful swimmers, one is advised against keeping them in a very deep tank. It is a good idea to cover the base of the fish tank with aquarium gravel, which will need to be cleaned every two weeks. It is not a good idea to use large marbles, river stones, etc for they present a hazard to dwarf frogs who can get wedged under them. You can also put some aquatic plants into the aquarium, but it you settle for artificial one, ensure do not have sharp, pointy edges against which the frogs can injure themselves. Silk plants are a good option. Also try to provide them little hiding places.

Food: It is said that African dwarf frogs do not smell their food but spot it, so one must try to drop the food right in front of the frog. Another approach taken is to put the food into a dish that is always kept at a certain spot in the tank. Also try to feed them at the same time everyday. As African dwarf frogs are bottom feeders, a diet of chopped up earthworms, blood worms (ideally live), and tubifex worms works well. Other options are mosquito larvae, black worms and small fish, but never fish flakes or freeze-dried food. They do not bite but swallow the foods, so ensure it is not large enough for them to choke on. Overeating may be a concern, so keep a tab on the food quantity.

The illnesses that can shorten the lifespan of the African dwarf frog include dropsy/bloat, fungal and bacterial infections. Bloat is evident from the swelling in the entire body of the frog. Patches of white threads or substance resembling cotton are a sign of a fungal infection, while lethargy and reluctance to eat may point towards a bacterial infection. Whatever the illness, it is very important to separate the ill frog from other frogs/fish and treat the tank. One must also be extremely careful while handling these frogs (even a healthy one), for in the recent past they were responsible for salmonella outbreak.