Review and images by Toymany; edited by bmathison1972
Budgett’s frog (Lepidobatrachus laevis) is one of the few frogs that can justifiably be described as frightening, or disturbing at the very least. Native to South America, this large, aggressive, and unusual amphibian is capable of putting on a scary show when it feels threatened!
While the majority of frog toys have been sculpted in standard sitting poses, Toymany has been putting many of theirs in active poses, which is most welcome in my book. This Budgett’s frog is posed in an impressive threat display. It is standing well off the ground with its limbs firmly planted in order to support its own weight. The torso is inflated and the mouth is wide open, exposing the cavernous interior and the lower teeth. All that’s missing is the high-pitched shriek that this frog is known to emit.
This feisty froggy measures 4.5 cm long, 6 cm wide, and 3.5 cm high. Its main colours are olive green with brownish-orange spots on top and cream on the bottom. The eyes and nostrils are glossy black, and the mouth is coral pink with orange on the lower lip and white teeth. The lack of blue on the throat indicates that this individual is a female.
The frog’s body has a fine pitted texture all over. Depressions are visible beneath the skin on the head and back. The limbs look taut and strong and the inside of the mouth is superbly detailed. The head is correctly shaped to resemble the classic video game character “Pac-Man” when viewed in profile, albeit with domed eyes. Like the horned frog, Budgett’s frog is a voracious predator that feeds on insects, snails, other frogs, small mammals, and whatever else it can swallow.
Looking at this toy, one can easily see why another name for it is the hippo frog. Its unnerving appearance and threat display have also caused it to be dubbed the Freddy Krueger frog, which makes it yet another most appropriate review subject for the month of Halloween.
The Toymany Budgett’s frog is easily one of their niftiest amphibian toys yet. This one gets a very strong recommendation!