zoom_in Click to enlarge

African Clawed Frog

▲ ▼

description African Clawed Frog Overview

The African Clawed Frog (Xenopus laevis) is an aquatic species native to sub-Saharan Africa that became the first widely used vertebrate pregnancy test in the 1930s and remains a major model organism in biological research.

help African Clawed Frog FAQ

How was the African Clawed Frog historically used as a pregnancy test?

In the 1930s, the African Clawed Frog became the first widely used vertebrate pregnancy test. Doctors would inject a woman's urine into the frog; if the frog laid eggs within a day, the woman was pregnant.

Where is the African Clawed Frog natively found?

This fully aquatic frog species is native to sub-Saharan Africa. It thrives in warm, stagnant ponds and sluggish streams across the region.

What is the scientific name of the African Clawed Frog?

The scientific name for the African Clawed Frog is *Xenopus laevis*. It is widely recognized by this name in laboratories and genetic research facilities worldwide.

Why is the African Clawed Frog a common model organism in biological research?

Beyond its historical use in pregnancy testing, *Xenopus laevis* is incredibly hardy and produces large, easily manipulated embryos. It remains a major model organism in biological research, contributing to numerous discoveries in genetics and developmental biology.

swap_horiz

Looking for African Clawed Frog alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward