Giant Devil Frog Discovered

It Measured 16 Inches Long and Weighted Approximately 10 Pounds

According to a recently published paper (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences), the remains of the largest frog ever to exist were discovered in Madagascar. The frog (devil frog) measured 16-inch long and weighted approximately 10 pounds, the study days. The biggest frog that exists today (the goliath from West Africa) measures 12.5 inches and weights of 7.2 pounds

David Krause, Ph.D, paleontologist, from the Stony Brook University, led the study that discovered the fossil of this giant frog that has been scientifically named Beelzebufo (devil frog). What is interesting about this discovery is that although the frog was found in Madagascar, it is related to a family of frogs that currently populate South America (ceratophyrines,' or 'pac-man' frogs). Pac-man frogs are named so because they have very big mouths.

The discovery of the giant devil frog may provide proof or at least a hint that maybe long time ago there was a connection between Madagascar (and island off Africa) and South America that did not involved Africa, the paper hypothesized. Scientists believe that long time ago there was a sort of physical communication, through Antarctica, between the lands of today's South America and the island of Madagascar. Previously found sauropods dinosaurs, crocodiles, and mammal fossils in Madagascar that are very closely related to some found in South America cmay onfirm this hypothesis.

According to Dr. Krause's study, Beelzebufo is perhaps the largest frog that ever existed. The overall size of its fossilized bones implies that it is possibly the heaviest frog ever. The frog has a predatory appearance. Researchers were inclined to name "armored frog from hell." Beelzebub is the Greek name for devil and the Latin word for toad, thus it was scientifically named Beelzebufo. Actually the complete name is Beelzebufo ampinga (meaning "shield frog from hell" or "armored frog from hell").