When fully grown, this gigantic frog will measure up to twelve and a half inches from head to toe and can weigh as much as a healthy newborn human baby - 7.2 pounds. Often they will live for twelve to fifteen years. In translation, local people refer to it as "the gigantic slippery frog". Of course, the name "Goliath" was a European choice - not uncommon in the naming of animals.
In past times, goliath frogs were an important food source for local people and even today that practice has by no means disappeared. It's one of the reasons why these almost incredible frogs are now classed as "endangered" by The International Union for Conservation of Nature. It is estimated that the world's population of goliath frogs has reduced by 50% in the past twenty years.
If I suddenly ran across one of these goliath frogs I would be alarmed. We have those teensy critters that are hard to see.
ReplyDeleteThe goliath frog would be even more alarmed at seeing you Keith!
DeleteI rather like frogs but I am not sure this one has the cute factor. It's nice that the children seem to be treating this pictured one as a pet.
ReplyDeleteIt's not what you look like that matters - it is what is on the inside.
DeleteWell, it's the old story: Human population (and their demands) increase, animal population (in the wild) decreases.
ReplyDeleteThis mathematical formula is not taught in schools but it is universally true.
DeleteWell, I wouldn't want one of those to jump out at me in the garden!
ReplyDeleteYou could climb on its back and hop down to the shops.
DeleteThat frog is huge! I can see how it would be a good food source, just one would feed a family if it was made into soup.
ReplyDeleteWhy soup? You could barbecue one.
DeleteAlways dig a pond for frogs in the garden, luckily those giant frogs live abroad, but our frogs are just the right size!
ReplyDeleteFor goliath frogs you'd need a pond as big as Windermere.
DeleteI would not want to Kermit myself to keeping one of those giant frogs. 🐸
ReplyDeleteThey'd be good at leapfrog. You might need some Frog tape to keep 'em down.
Deletenorthsider; I see what you did there Ha Ha.
DeleteYou have put that pin straight through the middle of one. Splat!
ReplyDeleteFrog went a courtin' and he did ride, uh-huh
DeleteFrog went a courtin' and he did ride, uh-huh
Frog went a courtin' and he did ride
With a sword and a pistol by his side, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.
He rode right up to Miss Mousie's door, uh-huh
He rode right up to Miss Mousie's door, uh-huh
He rode right up to Miss Mousie's door
Gave three loud raps, and a very big roar, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.
(We can only wonder how Miss Mousie reacted when she saw him!)
Makes all the frog legs I've eaten in the past look quite small and unworthy of my time.
ReplyDeleteDo they eat frogs' legs in The Phlippines?
DeleteMy first thought was "oh the frogs legs on that thing!"
ReplyDeleteEating rather than conserving. This shows what kind of man you are David!
DeleteGood Lord. That's a big frog.
ReplyDeleteYour powers of observation are phenomenal Steve!
DeleteI cannot imagine that a frog would be all that tasty but I suppose if you would otherwise starve then needs must.
ReplyDelete(I often worry about all these frogs in France trying to hop around with no legs)
They say that frogs' legs taste like chicken.
DeleteThey have tiny wheelchairs and crutches.
DeleteI now have a new goal in life- to NEVER SEE A GOLIATH FROG! Oh dear god, no.
ReplyDeleteIf a couple of breeding pairs were released in Florida, it would not be long before your state experienced an invasion of goliath frogs.
DeleteThat big frog would scare me, Neil! I see that map and find the little country of Rwanda where my dear daughter-in-law is visiting her family right now. It looks so little compared to some of the other large countries in Africa. My son and grandsons will be so happy when she returns home next week.
ReplyDeleteI am sure she will get back safe and sound. She has new family now - her own family.
DeleteI was thinking "frog's legs" too until I read the comments about them above. I've only had frogs legs once in my life. Tasted like chicken. Goliath's might taste like turkey.
ReplyDeleteOne Goliath frog leg would feed an entire family.
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