Frog & Toad

Photo-based individual identification is more reliable than visible implant elastomer tags or toe-tipping in young agile frogs

In amphibian capture-recapture studies, commonly used individual-identification methods include toe clipping as well as less invasive alternatives of varying cost. Yet, choosing the best method for a study is challenging, because both the reliability for identification and the severity of...

Year Published: 2026Topics: Identification MethodAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Nemesházi, E., Ujhegyi, N., Mikó, Z. et al. 2026. Photo-based individual identification is more reliable than visible implant elastomer tags or toe-tipping in young agile frogs. PLOS ONE 21(2), e0342340.

Identification and validation of operational pain indicators in anurans

Amphibian welfare, particularly pain assessment in anurans, remains understudied despite their ecological and biomedical significance. This study aimed to identify and validate operational pain indicators for adult anurans under professional care. A four-phase approach was used: a systematic literature review,...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Emotion, Pain, & Sentience, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: González, S., Caiozzi, A., Cabeza, O. et al. 2025. Identification and Validation of Operational Pain Indicators in Anurans. Journal of Zoological and Botanical Gardens 6(4).

Towards more compassionate wildlife research through the 3Rs principles: Moving from invasive to noninvasive methods

Research in ecology and wildlife biology remains crucial for increasing our knowledge and improving species management and conservation in the midst of the current biodiversity crisis. However, obtaining information on population status often involves invasive sampling of a certain number...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Biological Sampling & Physiological Measurement, Identification Method, RestraintAnimal Type: All/General, Amphibian, Crocodile & Alligator, Fish, Frog & Toad, Lizard, Nonhuman Primate, Other Animal, Other Fish, Reptile, Salamander, Snake, Turtle & Tortoise

Citation: Zemanova, M. A. 2020. Towards more compassionate wildlife research through the 3Rs principles: Moving from invasive to noninvasive methods. Wildlife Biology 2020(1), no page numbers.

Evaluation of effective and practical euthanasia methods for larval African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis)

Larval, or tadpole-stage Xenopus laevis frogs are a popular research model for developmental biology and disease studies. Existing euthanasia guidance documents offer recommendations for both eggs and adult stages, yet do not specifically address the larval stage. Data evaluating effective...

Year Published: 2020Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Galex, I. A., Gallant, C. M., D'Avignon, N. et al. 2020. Evaluation of effective and practical euthanasia methods for larval African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis). JAALAS 59(3), 269–274.

Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals

This 30-chapter volume informs students and professionals about the behavioral biology of animals commonly housed in laboratory and other captive settings. Each species evolved under specific environmental conditions, resulting in unique behavioral patterns, many of which are maintained in captivity...

Year Published: 2022Topics: Abnormal/Problematic Behavior, Animal Training, Environmental Enrichment, Handling, Housing, Human-Animal Interaction, Husbandry & Management, Natural Behavior, Rearing & Weaning, Social Housing & Companionship, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: All/General, Amphibian, Baboon, Capuchin, Cat, Cattle, Chicken, Crocodile & Alligator, Dog, Equine, Ferret, Finch, Fish, Fowl, Frog & Toad, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Lizard, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Other Rodent, Owl Monkey, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Reptile, Rodent, Salamander, Sheep, Snake, Squirrel Monkey, Turtle & Tortoise, Vervet (African Green Monkey), Zebrafish

Citation: Coleman, K., Schapiro, S. J. (Eds.) 2022. Behavioral Biology of Laboratory Animals (1st Ed.). CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 560 p.

Effectiveness, safety, and pharmacokinetics of meloxicam formulations in African-clawed frogs, Xenopus laevis

Pain management in amphibians is an emerging field of veterinary medicine with only a limited number of analgesics studied for their efficacy. The African-clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, is a popular animal model in research due to its oocyte morphology and...

Year Published: 2024Topics: AnalgesiaAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Leung, G., Diaz, L. L., Monette, S. et al. 2024. Effectiveness, safety, and pharmacokinetics of meloxicam formulations in African-clawed frogs, Xenopus laevis. Comparative Medicine 74(5), 336–343.

Guidance on the transport of laboratory animals

Report of the Transport Working Group established by the Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA)

Year Published: 2005Topics: Relocation & TransportAnimal Type: Amphibian, Cat, Dog, Ferret, Frog & Toad, Guinea Pig, Hamster, Macaque, Marmoset, Mouse, Nonhuman Primate, Pig, Rabbit, Rat, Rodent, Salamander

Citation: Swallow, J., Anderson, D., Buckwell, A. C. et al. 2005. Guidance on the transport of laboratory animals. Laboratory Animals 39(1), 1-39.

Investigations on Xenopus laevis body composition and feeding behavior in a laboratory setting

The African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis, has been used as a laboratory animal for decades in many research areas. However, there is a lack of knowledge about the nutritional physiology of this amphibian species and the feeding regimen is not...

Year Published: 2024Topics: Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Böswald, L. F., Matzek, D., von La Roche, D. et al. 2024. Investigations on Xenopus laevis body composition and feeding behavior in a laboratory setting. Scientific Reports 14(1), 9517.

Investigation of potassium chloride for euthanasia of anesthetized African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis)

Euthanasia is frequently performed in amphibians, but techniques are currently limited in number and variable in effectiveness. The current study examined the use of potassium chloride (KCl) for euthanasia of anesthetized African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis). Twenty adult, female African...

Year Published: 2023Topics: EuthanasiaAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Olagbaju, T. T., Troan, B. V., Balko, J. A. 2023. Investigation of potassium chloride for euthanasia of anesthetized African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis). JAALAS 62(4), 362–369.

Background color preference of amphibian Rana dybowskii

Background color may affect the welfare of the brown frog Rana dybowskii in captivity. To evaluate the perching platform color and feeding platform color preferences of brown frogs at day and night, a total of 1200 brown frogs kept in...

Year Published: 2023Topics: Housing, Husbandry & ManagementAnimal Type: Amphibian, Frog & Toad

Citation: Wei, H., Geng, L., Shang, X. et al. 2023. Background color preference of amphibian Rana dybowskii. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 268, 106079.