Amazonian Horned Frog

Ceratophrys cornuta

The Surinam horned frog, also known as Amazonian horned frog, is a bulky frog measuring up to 20 centimetres found in the northern part of South America. It has an exceptionally wide mouth, and has horn-like projections above its eyes.
Amazonian Horned Frog (Ceratophrys cornuta), Loreto, Peru An ambush awaits in the leaf litter... The Amazonian Horned Frog (Ceratophrys cornuta) lives in the leaf litter and functions as a sit-and-wait predator, consuming small frogs, lizards, and insects that come too close. They have enormous jaws and virtually the entire front end of the frog opens into a cavernous mouth. They also possess a considerable bite force, dispatching their targets with efficiency. The species can be found in a host of colors and patterns - all of them blend into the leaf litter seamlessly - keeping the frog out of sight to potential predators and prey items. This individual was photographed along a tract of forest on the Rio Sucusari, Loreto, Peru - October 2018. Ceratophrys cornuta,Surinam horned frog

Appearance

This species was once considered the same species as ''Ceratophrys ornata''. This dispute was later settled because the Surinam Horned frog inhabits a different habitat than its smaller cousin and does not interbreed with it in the wild.

Reproduction

Females lay up to 1,000 eggs at a time, and wrap them around aquatic plants. The frog eats other frogs, fish, lizards, and mice. Tadpoles of the Surinam horned frog attack each other soon after being hatched.

Food

This species has been known to prey upon the other species of horned frog, especially the northern race of ''Ceratophrys ornata''.

References:

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Status: Least concern
EX EW CR EN VU NT LC
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionChordata
ClassAmphibia
OrderAnura
FamilyCeratophryidae
GenusCeratophrys
SpeciesC. cornuta
Photographed in
Peru