Beelzebufo

Name meaning: devil/lord of the flies Frog

Time Period: Maastrichtian (Late Cretaceous)

Locations: Madagascar-Maevarano Formation

Taxonomy: Hyloidea-Leptodactylidae-Ceratophryidae

Subspecies: B. ampinga

Characteristics ~ ~ ~ ~

As an ancient toad that lived in Madagascar 65 to 70 million years ago, Beelzebufo was a giant compared to its modern-day counterparts. Its size was comparable to that of a cat, around 20-25 centimeters long. The fragmentary parts of its skull suggest it was most similar to the Common Horned Frogs of today, identifiable by their enormous mouths meant for swallowing prey whole. Like all frogs, its tongue is incredibly soft, and its saliva is extremely sticky. Living in the marsh jungle of the Maevarano formation, lurking in puddles and ponds, then ambushing animals that get too close to the water's edge like a crocodile. It ate whatever could fit down its enormous mouth, including mammals, lizards, and baby dinosaurs. Beelzebufo is important because frogs and other amphibians are not greatly associated with the Mesozoic, being overshadowed figuratively and literally by the Dinosaurs everyone knows and loves. Other animals in the formation are predators like Majungasaurus Masiakasaurus and Madtsoia a boa constrictor.

History ~ ~ ~ ~

Beelzebufo's closest ancestors, the common horned frogs are native to South America. Which led to speculation about how Beelzebufo, a relative, got all the way to Madagascar since frogs can't tolerate salt water.

Media Deptictions

Dinosauria 2 A flock creature that has its own exclusive animation set. It’s honestly really bad in PvP and has no hybrids to validate leveling up as of right now. Its coloration greatly resembles the aforementioned Pac-Man frogs, with little ridges above the eyes, and great size variation between the three. I enjoy the animation where the Beezlebufo sticks out a very long tongue at the camera and swallows it leaving a green mark on the camera.

Prehistoric Planet featured in episode 3 of seasons 1 & 2, Beezulbufo does what it’s most iconic for and eats an unaware baby Masiakasaurus that got to close to the waters edge. It later fumbles about trying to find a mate in the murk with a low rumble sound. But he has to scare off a 100x heavier Rapetosaurus when it tries to get a drink in the pond it is using.

Ark Survival Evolved I don’t play Ark but I think it’s Beelzebufo is Neat because it is large enough to place a saddle upon it. Hoping though the Jungle on the back of a giant toad is a fun visual.