# African Clawed Frog — Facts, Threats & Conservation

*Xenopus laevis*

> The African clawed frog is a fully aquatic frog from sub-Saharan Africa, named for the small dark claws on its hind feet. It has a flat body, no tongue or visible eardrum, and uses sensitive fingers and a lateral-line system to find food in murky water.

**IUCN status:** Least Concern  ·  **WARN range:** Africa

## Quick facts
| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Xenopus laevis |
| Diet | Carnivore (insects, worms, small animals) |
| Habitat | Ponds, lakes, and slow waters |
| Lifespan | 15+ years |
| Length | 5–12 cm (2–4.7 in) body length |
| Weight | Around 60 g (2 oz) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Scientific classification
- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Amphibia
- **Order:** Anura
- **Family:** Pipidae
- **Genus:** Xenopus

## Conservation status
- **Status:** Least Concern (IUCN Red List category)
- **Population:** Global population not compiled for this guide
- **Trend:** See the IUCN Red List assessment
- **Assessed:** See the IUCN Red List assessment
- **CITES:** See CITES appendices
- Conservation figures are drawn from the IUCN Red List and CITES; this guide links to the authoritative sources rather than restating population counts.

## Key facts: African Clawed Frog
- African clawed frogs spend almost their entire lives underwater, coming to the surface only to breathe.
- These frogs are scavenging carnivores that eat insects, worms, small fish, crustaceans, and bits of carrion.
- The African clawed frog is native to ponds, lakes, and slow-moving waters across sub-Saharan Africa.

## Behavior and adaptations
African clawed frogs spend almost their entire lives underwater, coming to the surface only to breathe. They lack a tongue and teeth, so they shove food into their mouths with their front fingers, and they use a sensitive lateral-line system along their bodies to detect movement in the water. The small black claws on their hind toes give the species its name and help tear apart food.

## Diet and feeding
These frogs are scavenging carnivores that eat insects, worms, small fish, crustaceans, and bits of carrion. They detect prey by smell, touch, and water vibrations rather than by sight. Their hearty appetite and tolerance of a wide range of conditions make them easy to keep.

## Habitat and range
The African clawed frog is native to ponds, lakes, and slow-moving waters across sub-Saharan Africa. It is extremely hardy and can survive in stagnant or polluted water and even travel short distances over land between pools. Released or escaped frogs have established invasive populations on several continents.

## Use in science and conservation
Xenopus laevis is one of the most important laboratory animals, long used in developmental biology, genetics, and, historically, human pregnancy testing. The species is listed as Least Concern and is abundant both in the wild and in captivity. Its main conservation impact is as an invasive species that can spread disease to native amphibians.

## What WARN does
WARN does not run a dedicated african clawed frog programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The african clawed frog is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the african clawed frog supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.

## Frequently asked questions: African Clawed Frog
### Why is it called the African clawed frog?
It is named for the small, dark, claw-like structures on the toes of its hind feet, which it uses to tear apart food. The 'African' part refers to its native range in sub-Saharan Africa.

### What do African clawed frogs eat?
They are carnivores and scavengers that eat insects, worms, small fish, crustaceans, and carrion, pushing food into their mouths with their front fingers since they have no tongue.

### How long do African clawed frogs live?
African clawed frogs are long-lived and commonly reach 15 years or more in captivity with good care, which makes them a long-term commitment as pets.

### Why are African clawed frogs used in research?
They are hardy, breed readily, and produce large, easy-to-study eggs, making them a key model animal in developmental biology and genetics. They were also once used in human pregnancy tests.

### Are African clawed frogs invasive?
Yes, outside their native range. Released and escaped frogs have established wild populations on several continents, where they can outcompete native species and help spread amphibian diseases.

### Do African clawed frogs need land in their tank?
No. They are fully aquatic and spend their whole lives in water, surfacing only to breathe, so a pet setup needs deep water rather than a land area.

### Where do african clawed frogs live?
African Clawed Frogs live in Ponds, lakes, and slow waters. The African clawed frog is a fully aquatic frog from sub-Saharan Africa, named for the small dark claws on its hind feet.

### How big is an african clawed frog?
An African Clawed Frog is about 15+ years. The African clawed frog is a fully aquatic frog from sub-Saharan Africa, named for the small dark claws on its hind feet. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN).

## Sources
- [IUCN Red List — Xenopus laevis](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Xenopus%20laevis&searchType=species)
- [Wikipedia — African Clawed Frog](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_clawed_frog)
- [Wikidata — African Clawed Frog](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q654718)

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Full guide: https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/african-clawed-frog