Giant frogs have a unique way of building a 'tadpole pool'

Most frogs are small in size but the Goliath frog in Cameroon is larger than the human foot, up to 34cm long and weighs up to 3.3kg.

Although this world's largest frog species is known for its strong growth, high jumping ability and food source for a rich meal of humans, their reproductive behavior remains a difficult mystery. explained.

Goliath frog - the largest frog in the world.

Now, however, scientists think that they have discovered how this green forest creature takes care of their children: it is to build their own 'pool' for their children.

Normally, frogs lay eggs anywhere in the area around their habitats: leaves, branches or even on the ground. However, the researchers, in the process of hunting for the 400-meter-long Goliath frog along the Mpoula river in western Cameroon, discovered a strange sight: empty water cells scattered on the coastal rocks - where miraculously there is no existence of fallen leaves, stones, and scattered debris like they should have. Soon, the researchers happened to discover additional 'pools' on the water.

Some 'pools' were empty. Others are full of tadpoles. After accidentally discovered, the researchers realized that in front of their eyes were the frogs Goliath. According to a report in the Journal of Natural History, they found a total of 22 frogs, 14 of which contained up to 3,000 eggs per nest. Some groups also have tadpoles at different ages. This shows that the frog Goliath has reused these 'pools' . When the researchers filmed an egg nest overnight with an infrared time-lapse camera, they saw a parent watching over their baby until dawn to protect their children from predators. night.

The bigger the frog, the higher its build ability and the better it will protect the newly hatched tadpoles.

The researchers also said Goliath frogs, likely larger males, had dug themselves into meters of swimming pools , moving heavy sand and rocks up to two-thirds of their body weight to build a nest. It seems that some of them also use what they dig and bring back to build a solid wall surrounding the 'pool'.

Researchers say this impressive build - along with watching eggs overnight - confirms the frog's unusually high level of protection with its offspring. This may also explain why this frog species grows so big: The larger the frog, the higher its ability to build and the better it will protect the newly hatched, vulnerable tadpoles. .

1. Marvel at giant frogs, 1m long, 8kg heavy