Beelzebufo ampiga, an extinct species of ceratophid anuran, emerges as a giant among its congeners, a true colossus of the Mesozoic era. About 70 million years ago, during the Maastrichtian of the Upper Cretaceous, this formidable amphibian populated the lands of what we know today as Madagascar, reigning over its environment with an imposing presence.
This unique anuran stood out for its exceptional size. With a length that could reach 41 cm and a weight of up to 4.5 kilograms, Beelzebufo was without a doubt the largest anuran that ever existed. Its imposing appearance was accentuated by a thick armor and a powerful cranial structure, indicative of a physiognomy adapted for hunting.
Its skull, with a rough vault that suggests the presence of osteoderms, reveals the ability of this predator to confront prey of considerable size. Beelzebufo was a voracious hunter, capable of taking down everything from small vertebrates to even juvenile dinosaurs with its robust jaws and teeth.
The discovery of the first fossil fragments in the Maevarano Formation in 1993 marked the beginning of the fascinating journey towards understanding this prehistoric creature. Thanks to the efforts of scientists such as David W. Krause, Susan E. Evans, and Marc E.H. Jones, today we can reconstruct part of its skeleton and better understand its place in evolutionary history.
Beelzebufo defies comparisons to today's giant frogs. Its size far exceeded any contemporary toad or frog, including the goliath frog and the Lake Titicaca giant frog. This discrepancy raises questions about biogeography, suggesting a terrestrial connection between South America, Madagascar and possibly Antarctica in past times.
Approximate measurements of the Beelzebufo:
- 1:6 Scale Complete
- Length 95 mm
- Height 53 mm
- Width 65 mm
- Snout-vent length 69 mm
- 1:4 Scale Complete
- Length 141 mm
- Height 79 mm
- Width 96 mm
- Snout-vent length 103 mm
