Xenopus Laevis vs Borealis

[Jenste]

What is the difference between the xenopus laevis and the xenopus borealis? as far as care, diet, needs, etc?

I have been trying to find out info about the borealis online and I can't find anything!

[John]

This is one for Terry - I hope he responds to you. As far as my addled memory goes, they are not the same size and are slightly different in appearance, but otherwise their care is identical.

[willtilian]

boraelis is smaller and does not come in albino ten gallons tank would be good for two

[tgampper]

What is the difference between the xenopus laevis and the xenopus borealis? as far as care, diet, needs, etc?

I have been trying to find out info about the borealis online and I can't find anything!

Xenopus borealis is also known as the Marsabit Clawed Frog and native to Kenya in eastern Africa. As mentioned, it is smaller then the typical ACF, being only 3 inches snout-to-vent length compared with >4 inches length of X. laevis. According to some of those who keep borealis it is the most beautiful of species in the genus Xenopus. The back of the frog is dark brown to steel blue with dark spots and the belly is creamy white, sometimes they may have a purple sheen which is quite striking. As far as I know, there are no albino borealis.

Their call is louder and quite different from laevis, sounding like ping pong balls hitting the paddle. Males can produce 1500 clicks in a 15 minute period. Even though both sexes call, the female release call in borealis is much weaker than laevis.

Their care is identical to X. laevis.

Unfortunately, the only clawed frog species you find regularly in the pet world is X. laevis. Silurana (Xenopus) tropicalis and Xenopus borealis are usually available through Xenopus or specialty breeders.

Check out the pictures at
http://www.hylid.clara.co.uk/xen/

Let us know if you get any.

[Jenste]

reason I was asking is because I found the site xenopus.com and thought they looked lovely - - I was wondering if I ordered one if it could be kept in my 72 gallon african clawed frog tank.

Would there be a chance of breeding laevis and borealis?

[tgampper]

reason I was asking is because I found the site xenopus.com and thought they looked lovely - - I was wondering if I ordered one if it could be kept in my 72 gallon african clawed frog tank.

Would there be a chance of breeding laevis and borealis?

X. borealis is a beautiful species, I have seen them for sale at Nasco too. You asked a good question. There have been only 4 cases of interspecific hybrids that have occurred naturally:

1. X. laevis and X. gilli
2. X. muelleri and X. laevis
3. X. borealis and X. victorianus
4. X. fraseri and X. tropicalis

Since X. victorianus is similar to X. laevis, I think a hybrid between X. laevis and X. borealis is quite possible.

[Jenste]

Thank you very much!

On Tuesday I will post pictures - - I ordered a reticulated albino male and a x.borealis female


In my 72 gallon I currently have 1 natural/marbled male, 2 albino females and 1 albino gender unknown juvenile and 1 which i believe is going to be leucistic albino gender unknown juvenile.....so 5 all together...and my batch of tadpole between my natural male and an albino female are all currently growing their front arms, with one slimming down from the large tadpole body to the slimmer frog body

[tgampper]

Thank you very much!

On Tuesday I will post pictures - - I ordered a reticulated albino male and a x.borealis female

Who did you order them from? Xenopus Express?

In my 72 gallon I currently have 1 natural/marbled male, 2 albino females and 1 albino gender unknown juvenile and 1 which i believe is going to be leucistic albino gender unknown juvenile.....so 5 all together...and my batch of tadpole between my natural male and an albino female are all currently growing their front arms, with one slimming down from the large tadpole body to the slimmer frog body

72 gallons is plenty of room for a nice colony of ACFs. Let us know when you get them. Pictures, please!

[Jenste]

Who did you order them from? Xenopus Express?



72 gallons is plenty of room for a nice colony of ACFs. Let us know when you get them. Pictures, please!

I ordered them from xenopus.com - - not too bad of a price either - - coming to a little over $50 and they are being shipped tomorrow and will arrive tuesday pictures aplenty when they arrive!

[Jenste]

my new frogs will arrive tomorrow!!! can't wait! I promise to post lots of pictures

[Jenste]

Checked UPS tracking information - - they are out for delivery!!! in just a few hours I will have my new froggers!!!

[Jenste]

they are here!!!!!!!!!

The dark one is a Xenopus Borealis female - - notice the lovely yellow coloration on her bum with purple-ish spots!!
The light one is a Xenopus Laevis Reticulated Albino Male - he has adorable spotting and coloration! his eyes are gorgeous

[Jenste]

Exploring their new home

[tgampper]

Thanks, Jen! Your frogs are beautiful. It looks like the X. borealis lives up to its reputation as being quite striking with its purple sheen. I understand that the call of the borealis is very loud. May have to buy some ear plugs

Great close up of the reticulated albino. I wouldn't mind adding a couple of those to my collection

[Jenste]

Thanks, Jen! Your frogs are beautiful. It looks like the X. borealis lives up to its reputation as being quite striking with its purple sheen. I understand that the call of the borealis is very loud. May have to buy some ear plugs

Great close up of the reticulated albino. I wouldn't mind adding a couple of those to my collection

The reticulated is a handsome little guy...

I too have heard that the calls are quite loud...more so for the males than the females...and I have a female...

We are already used to the calls from our male x.laevis...will be interesting to see if this lady is a singer

[tgampper]

The reticulated is a handsome little guy...

I too have heard that the calls are quite loud...more so for the males than the females...and I have a female...

We are already used to the calls from our male x.laevis...will be interesting to see if this lady is a singer

Oops... I forgot it's female. I am afraid the female borealis does not have the vocal repertoire that a female laevis has. It would be interesting to see what physical and auditory signs she will give when encountering the male.

[Jenste]

I should be ordering a male x.borealis in the next few weeks - - hopefully I can get a chance to breed my x.borealis frogs in the next few months!


Would any one be interested in some of the young?

[Jenste]

took a lovely belly shot of my x.borealis female

[tgampper]

Hi Jen:

Really love your borealis. People say they are the most colorful of Xenopus, do you agree?

[Jenste]

borealis have definitely become my favorites. the female I have has spotting all over her tummy (she is the one in the picture above) and the male only has spotting on his hind legs and just the very bottom of his stomach.

he is a little ham - he is still somewhat small and latches on to every frog in the tank and does his VERY loud clicking all night. we really like him - he is just a character!

hopefully I will be able to mate them come early spring