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Care Sheet: Senegal Running Frog (Kassina senegalensis)

Common Name: Senegal Running Frog, Senegal Kassina.

Scientific Name: Kassina senegalensis.

Distribution: Savannah's & dry forests of Tropical South-east Africa.

Size: 40 - 45mm.

Colouration: Grey-brown dorsum with several dark bands often broken into spots.

Sexing: Females are larger, males show a dark vocal sac and can be heard calling.

Requirements: A 15-gallon tank would be ideal for a group of 2-4 adults. They require a savannah type set up with a substrate of sandy soil topped with live moss. The tank can be furnished with a selection of logs, cork bark and rock. These items should be arranged in such a way that they provide a number of climbing and hiding areas for the frogs. A large water bowl should be provided with clean de-chlorinated or spring water which will need changing daily so as to avoid the risk of ammonia and bacteria building up in the water. The enclosure will need to be heated to a temperature of 22-28°C with a slight drop at night, this can be done using an under tank heat-mat controlled by a thermostat. Spot bulbs / heat lamps are not recommended for use with amphibians and so a fluorescent UVB tube should be provided as a light source. The tank should be visually inspected daily and any soiled items should be removed, cleaned and replaced, if this is done at the same time as changing the water it will cause less disturbance to the frogs. Once every two-three weeks the tank and its contents should be completely cleaned and sterilised using an amphibian / reptile safe disinfectant.

Feeding: Young Frogs should be fed daily with a mixture of suitably sized insects. These food items should be dusted with a calcium and vitamin supplement two-three times a week. Adult Frogs will take larger insects including crickets, earthworms, waxworms, and caterpillars. They should be fed every two-three days and the insects dusted with calcium and vitamin supplements once a week.