It’s a bull (frog) fight! Ten-inch amphibians go to war in amazing battle
- Male bullfrogs caught battling for females in a rare spectacle in South Africa
- One frog photographed with its legs in air as it grabbed other male by the neck
- Photographer, Temujin Johnson, 25, from Cape Town, captured the rare moment
This is the incredible moment two ten-inch male bullfrogs are caught battling for females in a rare spectacle that only happens once a year.
Photographer, Temujin Johnson, 25, from Cape Town, South Africa, was 50-kilometres north of Polokwane, when he captured the dominant bullfrog grab the other male by the neck and pull it off its feet.
In another image, the same male was spotted biting down on his competitor’s leg as the weaker frog tried to make a run towards the safety of the edge of the pool.
Photographer Temujin Johnson, 25, from Cape Town, South Africa, was able to capture the moment two ten-inch male bullfrogs battled for females
The male bullfrogs are caught battling each other in the water 50-kilometres north of Polokwane, South Africa
One bullfrog is sent flying in the air after being grabbed by the other male by the neck
Mr Johnson said: ‘This spectacle only happens once a year if the rains are heavy enough. Pools of at least sixty to one-hundred millimetres of water must form in order to draw the bullfrogs out.
‘The dominant males began fighting to establish control over the centre of the pool. African bullfrogs have two protrusions on their lower jaw that act as teeth which enables them to grab and toss their competitors.
‘Once the centre was established, the males began their calls – a short deep rumble which lasted for a few seconds.
‘This attracted the females who tried to swim to the centre of the pool under the surface to reach the dominant males. Sometimes, the younger males – who lurk around the edges of the pool – reach the females first and attach themselves to their backs.
‘If this happens, the females don’t lay eggs. Shortly after, the dominant males join the stack until the female is released.’
African bullfrogs are one of the largest species of frog and males can weigh over four-pounds.
After mating, female bullfrogs can lay up to 4,000 eggs whilst males have been known to eat their offspring.
The dominant male gras the other male by the neck and tries to push it below the surface of the water
The bullfrog pulls his opponent off his feet and send him flying through the air as the bair battle it out
Mr Johnson said: ‘This spectacle only happens once a year if the rains are heavy enough’
During the dry season, African bullfrogs will hibernate by creating a cocoon out of their mucus. When the rain softens the cocoon, they will know it’s time to emerge. The hibernation period can last up to two years.
‘So much happened over a very short period of time so I was continually focussed on getting the best shots,’ Mr Johnson said.
‘The fighting only lasts for a couple of days a year. I was situated a few feet away at the side of the pool as we didn’t want to disturb the frogs too much.
‘After a few hours, they were completely comfortable with our presence so we were able to enter the pool to get a lower and better perspective.
‘Once the rains have ended, the frogs move off and become solitary once again.’