Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Lissamphibia

• Order: Anura

• Family: Pipidae

• Genus Xenopus

• Species: Xenopus laevis

Description  They range in colors from olive gray to brownish w/variegated darker shades. (the belly and legs are creamy white w/ a yellow tinge on some) They are a chubby, medium-sized aquatic frog) with very smooth, notoriously slippery skin.  They have a smaller head than their body w/eyes at the top of the head.  Their front limbs are unwebbed and have 4 dainty fingers.  Their hind legs are large, webbed, and tipped with small claws on  the first 3 of the 5 toes.  

They lack a tongue and a visible ear. They have a lateral line that runs along their back.  It resembles a stitching look. Males usually weigh about 60 grams and are about 4-5 inches whereas the females who weigh about 200 grams have been seen as large as 10 inches. The male also lacks a vocal sac which most other male frogs possess. Females have a cloacal extension at the bottom of thier abdomen.

There are sub-species, including Xenopus laevis victorianus and Xenopus laevis frasieri. They can be found in a variety of albino-like colors such as white, off-white, pink, beige, and ivory.

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