Animal Profiles
Amphibians

Argentine Horned Frog

Ceratophrys ornata

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The Argentine horned frog is a broad-bodied ambush hunter with a very large mouth. It waits partly concealed among leaves or soil for suitably sized animals to pass.

Ceratophrys ornata (argentine horned frog)

Melanie Mae Bryan from Greensboro, NC, USA · CC BY

At a glance

Habitat
Grassland, Rivers and lakes
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Arthropods and small vertebrates.

Classification

Common name
Argentine Horned Frog
Browse group
Amphibians
Scientific name or taxon
Ceratophrys ornata
Taxon rank
species
Order
Anura
Family
Ceratophryidae
Genus
Ceratophrys
Source classification
Amphibia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • It is an ambush predator.
  • It can wait partly buried in soil.
  • Its mouth is unusually broad.

Habitat and range

This South American frog is associated with wet grasslands and freshwater habitats. Its terrestrial resting places provide cover near the moist areas needed by an amphibian.

Appearance and adaptations

The squat body and broad head give it a rounded outline. Raised points above the eyes resemble small horns, helping explain the common name.

Diet and behaviour

Rather than pursuing prey over long distances, it waits hidden among leaf litter or partly buried in earth. It eats a range of animals that fit its mouth, including arthropods and small vertebrates. Collection and habitat damage threaten wild populations.

Sources

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