Only its hind toes are webbed. Tropical Africa eastward and southward from Nigeria. Found throughout the eastern savanna regions, from Somalia to Port Elizabeth, extending westwards to Angola. Habitat open grassland in temporary puddles, when available. Anything it can overpower, including mice, lizards, and other frogs.
Males call from a breeding site in shallow water where females then lay their eggs, one at a time.
In breeding, the male develops swollen pads on forelimbs and thumbs with which he grasps the female. As she lays her eggs, he fertilizes them. The jellylike substance around the eggs protects them to some degree and prevents dehydration. When disturbed, they inflate their bodies. A conspicuous spade-like tubercle on each foot pushes soil to either side as the frog shuffles backward into the ground.