African Clawed Frogs Xenopus species

Xenopus is a genus of several species of aquatic frog native to freshwater lakes and streams of sub-Saharan Africa. They are unusual in many respects, including being fully aquatic, having three claws on their webbed back feet, having no webbing on their sensitive front fingers, having no tongue and being covered in a slimy mucus. They eat invertebrates and small vertebrates, alive and dead, using their claws and fingers.
 
African Clawed Frog
African Clawed Frog
The African Clawed Frog, also called the Xenopus Frog, Xenopus laevis, is much used in biological experiments. It is native mainly to Southern Africa. It can grow to some 5 inches (13cm) in length.
African Clawed Frog
Xenopus Frog
African Clawed Frog
In times of drought or heavy rain it has been seen to move overland to a new water body. Most are brown or green with blotches, but albino variants, as shown, are relatively common.
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Lake Oku Clawed Frog
Lake Oku Xenopus Frog
Lake Oku Clawed Frog
The Lake Oku Clawed Frog, Xenopus longipes, is found only in Lake Oku, a high altitude crater in Cameroon. They have never been known to leave the water of the lake.
Lake Oku Clawed Frogs
Lake Oku Xenopus Frog
Lake Oku Clawed Frogs
The claws help with climbing as well as tearing food. It is unusual in having 12 sets of chromosones.
Lake Oku Clawed Frog
Lake Oku Xenopus Frog
Lake Oku Clawed Frog
The adult frogs of this critically endangered species grow to some 3.5cm long (head/body) whereas the tadpoles grow to twice that length (includes tail) and take up to a year to become adults.