Description
- Common Name: Giant African Bullfrog / Pixie Frog
- Scientific Name: Pyxicephalus adspersus
- Locality/Morph: Wild type
- Sex: Unknown
- Age: 2025
- Source: Captive bred
- Native Range: Sub-Saharan Africa (notably South Africa, Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and surrounding regions)
- Natural Habitat: Seasonal grasslands, savannas, and semi-arid scrubland; often inhabiting temporary rain-filled pools and burrowing into soil during dry periods
- Diet: Opportunistic carnivore – insects, other invertebrates, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and even other frogs
- Basking Temperature: 30–32°C warm spot
- Ambient Temperature: 24–28°C (night drop to ~20–22°C)
- Average Adult Size: 18–25 cm (males substantially larger than females; males can exceed 1 kg in weight)
The Giant African Bullfrog (Pyxicephalus adspersus), commonly referred to as the Pixie Frog, is one of the largest frog species in the world and a true monster of the amphibian-keeping hobby. Renowned for their sheer size, voracious appetite, and defensive temperament, these frogs are impressive captives.
In the wild, Giant African Bullfrogs inhabit seasonal savannas and grasslands. They emerge during heavy rains to feed and breed in temporary pools, but spend much of the dry season buried underground in a state of dormancy within a protective cocoon of shed skin to conserve moisture. Their opportunistic diet includes insects, other amphibians, small reptiles, and even rodents.
In captivity, these frogs require spacious enclosures with a large, shallow water area and a terrestrial section with deep substrate (such as soil, sand-soil mix, or coco fibre) for burrowing. Humidity should be moderate (50–70%), with regular misting, but care must be taken to avoid overly damp, stagnant conditions. A basking area of 30–32°C should be provided, while ambient daytime temperatures of 24–28°C and a night drop to ~20–22°C are suitable. Clean, dechlorinated water is essential, and should be changed frequently to prevent bacterial build-up.
The diet of Giant African Bullfrogs in captivity is diverse but should be managed carefully to prevent obesity. They readily consume gut-loaded crickets, roaches, earthworms, locusts, and occasional pinkie mice or small fish. However, vertebrate prey should be offered sparingly, as excessive amounts can lead to nutritional imbalances and obesity. Calcium and vitamin supplementation is crucial, especially for juveniles during rapid growth.
Unlike more docile frogs, Giant African Bullfrogs can display aggression when threatened, often puffing up, lunging, and delivering painful bites with their strong jaws. They are not recommended for handling beyond essential enclosure maintenance.
With proper care, Giant African Bullfrogs can live 20–30 years in captivity, making them a long-term commitment and one of the most iconic amphibians in herpetoculture.
Livestock Delivery:
Livestock is delivered in our own heated reptile courier vans. Delivery time from ordering will depend on your location and when we next have a van in your area, this will usually be a maximum of 2 weeks. You will receive a date and time slot by phone or email, so please ensure you enter these correctly at checkout. Delivery fee for livestock depends on location, prices start at £45. Livestock orders over £500 (+VAT) are delivered free of charge.
Livestock Sale Terms:
If multiple animals are in stock then not all will be pictured, so the photo above may not be exact animal available.
All prices are per individual unless otherwise stated. All livestock is subject to availability, whilst we try to keep the website as up to date as possible errors may happen, in this situation you will be contacted to arrange a refund/alternative.
Errors can happen with sexing and morph identification. Should this be discovered before leaving us you are entitled to a refund. After the animal leaves us it is the customers responsibility to inform us within 48 hours of the animals arrival. Failing to do so may lose the customers eligibility for a refund.
It is the customers responsibility to have the correct setup available and ready for the animal, if you need any advice please do get in touch. We have the right to request proof of setup at any time, failure to provide an image of an appropriate setup or any image at all, may result in a full order cancellation and refund.
Guarantee for all inverts & amphibians is 24 hours. All other livestock is 48 hours. If issues/concerns are notified upon delivery, then this may be extended. All health related queries will be subject to a full investigation should an issue arise. Failing to provide us with the information we request may void any form of guarantee. If we find reason from the information that its injury or death was caused by negligence or incorrect husbandry then the guarantee may be void. Should death or abnormalities occur then you must inform us as soon as possible. In the unlikely event that an animal passes away please photograph the dead body and freeze until you have heard from us. If death or illness occurs after 7 days, and no health issues were reported, then Ridgeway will not be held responsible.
We have the right to refuse any sale, refund or guarantee at any time if we feel it is necessary.
Livestock sales are for customers aged 18+, if under this age you must have prior parent permission. If we have any reason to suspect this is not the case we will contact you before the animal is released.
When purchasing an animal from us you automatically agree to these terms of sale.
