Bullfrog
Bullfrog (kolabab) common name of the largest frog of Bangladesh, Hoplobatrachus tigerinus (=Rana tigerina), of the family Ranidae, order Anura, class Amphibia, occurring all over the country. Bullfrog are brown to greenish brown. Most specimens have a narrow, yellowish-white mid-vertebral band from tip of snout to vent and a dorsally wide, yellowish-white band from behind eye to groin.
Bullfrogs have lips with black and white bars, limbs with black cross bars, while bellies and bodies are bright yellow during breeding season. The body length attains up to 17 cm, and the legs may be up to 22 cm. The legs are marketed outside the country as food.
In 1988-89 and 1992-93 a total of 33,07,281 and 15,320 kg of frog legs were exported, respectively. However, export of frog legs is now banned. Non-edible remnants are processed as protein supplements for fowls and fishes. Males have a loud, booming call and breeds during the monsoon season. Bullfrog fecundity varies from 3,500 to 12,500 ova/female. They are omnivorous, although insects comprise the principal dietary item. [Baharul Hoque]
