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Cranwell’s horned frog
Interesting Creature…
Kaieteur News- Cranwell’s horned frog (Ceratophrys cranwelli), also called commonly the Chacoan horned frog, is a terrestrial frog in the family Ceratophryidae. The species is endemic to the dry Gran Chaco region of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil. It, like other members of its genus, Ceratophrys, is commonly called the Pac-man frog, because of its resemblance to the video game character of the same name. Most adult specimens range from 8–13 cm (3.1–5.1 in) long and can weigh up to 0.5 kg (1.1 lb).
Cranwell’s horned frog (Ceratophrys cranwelli), also called commonly the Chacoan horned frog
The back of C. cranwelli usually has dark green and brown coloration, although albino variants with orange and yellow coloration also exist and are popular in the pet trade. The dark color scheme aids in camouflaging the animal as it burrows and waits for its prey. Though generally inactive, it is an aggressive eater and is capable of leaping for several body lengths to capture prey. It uses its sticky tongue to latch onto prey and its heavy body to remain anchored while consuming prey.
Diet and behavior
Cranwell’s horned frog is nocturnal and rests with its eyelids open. It is ordinarily carnivorous, feeding mostly on insects and like-sized animals such as rodents, and is known to cannibalize other frogs. Large individuals have bite forces comparable to those of mammalian predators. Although it is capable of eating animals almost half its size, Cranwell’s horned frog sometimes eat things larger than itself. Its bite force is able to immobilize its prey, despite its being half the size of the prey. However, due to a row a teeth along the upper jaw, it is unable to release prey from its mouth causing it to potentially die by choking.
Temperature control
At extreme temperatures (both high and low), Cranwell’s horned frog enters a period of estivation, developing a thick layer of protective skin to trap moisture and aid in respiration. When estivation is complete, the frog uses its front and hind legs to help shed the protective layer. In many cases, the frog uses its jaws to help pull the skin over its back, often eating the skin in the process.
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