Meet the African clawed frog , a fully aquatic amphibian that's part living fossil, part lab legend, and part ecological wildcard.

Native to southern Africa, these amphibians have spread far beyond their original range—thanks to global science, the pet trade, and an appetite for just about anything that fits in their mouths.

You might know it by another name: Xenopus laevis . This species from the Pipidae family isn't just famous for its odd looks (smooth skin, powerful legs, and those trademark black claws on its hind feet). It was famously used as the first mainstream live pregnancy test—a pioneer in developmental biology, and now, a poster frog for invasive species.

What Makes African Clawed Frogs So Unique?

Female African clawed frogs are larger than male frogs, often reachin

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