Natural Origin
As their name suggests, these frogs are native to Africa. They are found most commonly in the Congo region but exist in other parts of Africa as well. They reside in the shallow areas of rivers, creeks and ponds. They prefer to spend most of their time near the bottom blending in among the sand, stones, and plants, there they are safe from predators. It is said that while the ADF is found very commonly in captivity, every species (boettgeri, feae, boulengeri, & curtipes) are considered threatened-extinct in terms of conservation status. The ecosystem in their natural habitat has changed drastically because of modern expansion and industrialization, however the actual status of these frogs in their native habitat is undetermined as very few biological studies are done in the region due to political unrest.
Domestication
African Dwarf Frogs first became fancied as pets in the 1960s and their popularity spread to the international the pet trade rather quickly. The reason for the popularity could be their low-maintenance requirements in comparison with other amphibians, as well their compatibility with other aquatic life.
