Ceratophryidae
7 species
The Ceratophryidae, also known as common horned frogs, are a family of frogs found in South America. It is a relatively small family with three extant genera and 12 species. However, fossils of the giant Beelzebufo from Cretaceous Madagascar suggest the taxon may have once ranged throughout the prehistoric supercontinent of Gondwana.
Despite the common name, not all species in the family have the horn-like projections at the eyes. They have a relatively large head with big mouth, and they are ambush predators able to consume large prey, including lizards, other frogs, and small mammals. They inhabit arid areas and are seasonal breeders, depositing many small eggs in aquatic habitats. Tadpoles are free-living and carnivorous or grazers (Chacophrys).
Some species (especially from the genera Ceratophrys and Lepidobatrachus) are popular in herpetoculture.
The Ceratophryidae, also known as common horned frogs, are a family of frogs found in South America. It is a relatively small family with three extant genera and 12 species. However, fossils of the giant Beelzebufo from Cretaceous Madagascar suggest the taxon may have once ranged throughout the prehistoric supercontinent of Gondwana.
Despite the common name, not all species in the family have the horn-like projections at the eyes. They have a relatively large head with big mouth, and they are ambush predators able to consume large prey, including lizards, other frogs, and small mammals. They inhabit arid areas and are seasonal breeders, depositing many small eggs in aquatic habitats. Tadpoles are free-living and carnivorous or grazers (Chacophrys).
Some species (especially from the genera Ceratophrys and Lepidobatrachus) are popular in herpetoculture.
