Do I Have A Male Or A Female?
Males
- Slightly smaller then a female
- Skinnier in the body then a female
- Post Axillary Subdermal Gland - small glad behind each armpit, can be whiteish or pinkish in color. (looks like a little
pimple). The role this gland plays in mating is not well understood.
- Males will reach sexual maturity at 9 months old.
- They will sing to attract a female. This sounds like a quiet buzz or humming.
Females
- Slightly larger then a male
- Chubbier body then a male
- Females have a cloaca (small bump) between their legs. This is where eggs and waste are passed.
- Females reach sexual maturity at 9 months old
Hymenochirus Boettgeri |
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Good picture of the Post Axillary Subdermal Gland |
Female Dwarf frog with a belly full of eggs |
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copyright Aqualand Petsplus LA PIC |
Read an Article on the Subdermal Post Auxillary Gland
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Breeding
When conditions are right a male will start to call out for a female. He also may perform a "mating dance" where he arches
his back and kicks his legs out while he is calling. If he finds a female who is ready as well he will grasp her from behind,
right above her legs. She will rapidly swim to the surface of the water doing a series of summersaults. She will lay her eggs
at the surface and scatter them around while the male fertlizes them on the outside of her body. She will do this in short
bursts over a time period of 30 minutes to a few hours. While resting she will be at the bottom very motionless and sometimes
on her back. It will look like he has killed her, but no need to worry, she is in a resting phase. The male remains latched
onto her until the process is done, then they will swim away and return to normal behavior.
Hymenochirus Curtipes |
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amplexing |
Dwarf Frogs in amplex |
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H. curtipes female and H. boettgeri male |
Top View of Dwarf Frogs Breeding |
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H. curtipes female and H. boettgeri male |
Resting phase of amplex |
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Lying motionless on their backs (male still in full amplex, note his arms around her waist) |
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