# Budgett's Frog (*Lepidobatrachus laevis*) Budgett's Frog has a funny, flat shape and big eyes! It loves to swim and can be found in ponds and swamps. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Ponds and swamps - **Also known as:** Budget Frog, Paraguayan Frog ![Budgett's Frog](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426882/objects/5743.jpg) ## Appearance The Budgett's Frog has a very broad, flattened body with a huge head and wide mouth, giving it a perpetually grumpy look. Its small, beady eyes are positioned high on its head. Its skin is typically dull green, olive, or brown, often with darker mottled patterns. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Anura - **Family:** Ceratophryidae - **Genus:** Lepidobatrachus ## Interesting facts - Despite their angry look, it's just their natural facial structure! - Their tadpoles are fierce predators, even eating other tadpoles in the water! - They can inflate their bodies like a balloon to appear larger and scare off threats. - When startled, they can let out a surprisingly loud, terrifying, ear-splitting scream! ## Special abilities - **Mud Mover:** Budgett's Frog can rapidly dig backwards into mud using specialized hind legs to create a protective burrow during dry periods. - **Grip and Gulp:** Budgett's Frog has bony projections on its lower jaw that act like teeth, allowing it to powerfully grip and swallow large prey whole. - **Hydro-Storage:** Budgett's Frog can absorb and store significant amounts of water in its body, helping it endure long dry seasons underground. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-15 cm - **Weight:** 0.1-0.25 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-15 years - **Speed:** 1 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1000-4000 - **Metamorphosis:** 14-28 days ## Diet & Feeding This frog eats nearly anything it can fit in its large mouth, from insects to other amphibians. - **Age differences:** Tadpoles are carnivorous predators, often cannibalistic. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Fish, Other frogs, Small rodents - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** False Water Cobra (*Hydrodynastes gigas*) — Larger snakes prey on frogs in wetlands. - **Hunts:** Chaco White-lipped Frog (*Leptodactylus chaquensis*) — Preys on other frog species it encounters. - **Hunts:** [Field Cricket](https://www.snappit.app/explore/field-cricket) (*Gryllus assimilis*) — Devours various insects that come within reach. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Gliding](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/gliding): Gliding animals move through the air by launching themselves and maintaining flight with specialized body structures, without flapping wings. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Budgett's Frog? Check the toe pads, leg length, eye markings, back pattern and body shape. Don't lean on color: some frogs change shade to match their surroundings. Frog Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Budgett's Frog? 10-15 cm ### How much does Budgett's Frog weigh? 0.1-0.25 kg ### How long does Budgett's Frog live? 5-15 years ### How fast can Budgett's Frog move? 1 km/h ### What does Budgett's Frog eat? This frog eats nearly anything it can fit in its large mouth, from insects to other amphibians. ### Where is Budgett's Frog usually found? Ponds and swamps ### How does Budgett's Frog hunt? Ambush ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Budgett's Frog: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/budgett-s-frog)