IACUC Learning Module - Xenopus aevis

IACUC Learning Module - Xenopus laevis

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Behavior

Captive Xenopus laevis can become quite tame and may swim to the surface of the tank and take food from a person's fingers. Frogs will stand on their hind legs, protrude their heads from the water and may even chirp, particularly in the evenings. Ideally the water depth should allow this "serenade" behavior.

African Clawed Frog - (Xenopus laevis)

-	Male	Female	Tadpole
Average size	2-4 inches	4-6 inches	large*
Size at sexual maturity	3 inches +	3 inches +	N/A
Sexing by physical characteristics	Black, thick, nuptial pads	Much larger than males of same age	N/A
Breeding season: all year, hormone induced	2-3x/month if necessary	no more than 1x/month	N/A
Method of reproduction	External fertilization	External fertilization	N/A
Amplexus/Oviposition time	30-36 hours after hormone injection	within 24 hours of hormone injections	N/A
Clutch size	N/A	1-5000 eggs/breeding	N/A
Mating ratio	1:1	1:1	N/A
Length of metamorphosis	N/A	N/A	2-3 months
Age tadpoles begin to feed	N/A	N/A	10 days
Breeding life in years	3+, if healthy	1-2 if healthy	N/A
Lifespan	6 years	6 years	N/A
Natural habitat	totally aquatic	totally aquatic	totally aquatic
Activity/light cycle	12:12	12:12	12:12
Preferred body temperature range**	water temperature 68-75^o F	water temperature 68-75^o F	water temperature 68-75^o F
Frequency of food consumption	2-3x/wk	2-3x/wk	daily
Diet (should be nutritionally complete)	frog brittle***, tubiflex worms, beef liver, earth worms	frog brittle***, tubiflex worms, beef liver, earth worms	suspended food particles
Water quality NO CHLORAMINES	.6% NaCl pH 6.5-8.5	.6% NaCl pH 6.5-8.5	.6% NaCl pH 6.5-8.5
Frequency of water changes****	daily or at least 3x/week	daily or at least 3x/week	max. growth with 50%/day

* Size varies with stage of development.
** Hibernates at temperatures below 8 degrees C.
*** For frog brittle, feed 1-5 gm./frog. 1 teaspoon = 3 grams.
**** Water changes should be done approximately 4 hours after frogs have been fed. Disturbing them too soon after a meal may cause regurgitation.

Sexual Dimorphism (Adults)

In non-breeding periods, size is the most obvious difference between the sexes.

Dorsal Surface:

Compare the sizes of the male (left) female (right).

Compare the cloacla region of the male on the left. Notice the protruding anal papillae on the female on the right.

Female Xenopus laevis are much larger in body size than adult males of the same age. Females have much larger ventral flaps, called anal papillae, located immediately above their cloacas.
	Compare the cloacal region of the female (right). Notice the papillae.

		Males have black, spinulose nuptial surfaces (pads) on the inner arms and enlarged "thumbs" to hold onto the females during breeding season.
Ventral Surface: Compare the forearm of the male (left) with the dark colored nuptial pads.

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Updated 01/02/2008 gea