Video provided by: Juan Martin Canturin Garcia (Peru)
Review: Abdel Rahman El Gamal (Founder of the video channel)
This video has been filmed in a frog culture facility in Brazil. The video covers all phases of frog culture starting with some key biological information such as temperature tolerance (15-30 centigrade) and ideal temperature 26-28 centigrade. The reproduction of frogs has been covered in this video supported by life cycle diagram including, mating, incubation and tadpole production. The feeding has been covered in the video including the feed preparation and various types of feed as required by different stage starting by grinded feed passing by pressed feed before providing live fish (tilapia) to adult frogs. The video shows a type of chicken-fish integration in which chicken are raised in a chicken house above fish ponds where droppings and waste food drops between the slots of the chicken house floor. The changes in shape (metamorphosis) from tadpole to frogs are obvious in this video. Even though, the video brought in a glance on the processing of frogs, if you are interested, you may visit a special video on the frog processing: http://youtu.be/k0COaZBCt2I
The following paragraphs present background information on the culture and consumption of frogs in Brazil.
In Brazil, the interest in the farming of American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus has been growing because of the good taste as well as the texture of the meat. Frog meat is ordered at gourmet restaurants, but at popular places as well. The shortage between the supply and demand has been the driving force behind the interest in the culture of frogs in Brazil.
By the late 1930s, bullfrogs had been introduced from the United States into Brazil where the first frog farm outside the United States was established. The real development in the culture of frogs began in the mid-1970s and continued through 1980s, as was reflected in the designing of hatchery, nursing and fattening facilities as well as in the farming practices (e.g. reproduction, nursing, feeding, and grow-out). Farmed frogs in Brazil contribute by about 600 tons/year.
The species, Lithobates catesbeianus is one of the largest frogs of the genus Rana which can reach up to 20 cm in snout-to-vent length, and up to 800 g in weight. Frog meat in Brazil is marketed in the form of entire carcasses or of frozen thighs. Individual frogs should reach about 175 grams if frog legs are targeted.
