Thanks for sticking with me for another week of Wild Facts. This weekend I plan on writing up a few posts since I will be in Vancouver for most of next week. For some reason when I am away I like to have a themed week of Wild Facts. Next week you will see five of the most bizarre animal defense mechanisms that have evolved. Just to get you all jacked up for next weeks Wild Facts, I have decided to give you a bit of a taste of what to expect.
Today is Froggy Friday (I am feeling overtired so I will blame “Froggy Friday” on that) but this is no ordinary frog. First of all the hairy frog looks gross with the hair covering its body. This frog lives the majority of their life on land only returning to the water to breed. They like to feed on spiders, slugs, grasshoppers and beetles. But what happens when something tries to feed on them?
The hairy frog has evolved a defense mechanism that sounds painful to me. Basically, they will break their bones when attacked or threatened. You would think that breaking your bones would work by irritating the would be predator, but this is not the case. I know my dad hates it when I crack my knuckles so I thought for sure this was their defense strategy. Actually, they break their bones to release powerful claws. Think Wolverine but in frog form! While at rest, these claws are protected in a mass of connective tissue. Once the frog feels threatened it will contract the connecting muscle which forces the claw through the toe pad. Just like that the defenseless little frog now has a set of blades and is ready to do some damage. So what happens after the threat is over? Well, scientists believe that the claws will retract progressively and the wounds will heal over but this has yet to proven. Personally, I think it would be easier if the frog just carried a knife in a sheath like everyone else.
Make sure you tune in next week to catch the five part mini-series titled Wild Facts – The Best Offense is a Good Defense.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
So he would be sort of like a Were-Frog then, right?? Well, except for the full moon rule that is. I don’t mind frogs, snakes or mice as a rule, but for this little guy I’m going to make a girly exception and just say, “EEEEEW” :o)
LOL – A Were-Frog! I like it!
You have all the right in the world to make the girly exception for this frog. He just isn’t the most pleasant looking is he?
I love frogs – this frog scares me for some reason. Definitely makes me cringe because damn! that’s just GOTTA hurt!!
LOL
You would think that it would hurt. If I had that adaptation, i would go out of my way to make sure I never felt threatened. I would hate to use that defense mechanism.
First, let me say how much I enjoy your blog. I had to stop and comment on this frog. The claws look tiny but wicked! And he also blows away one of my favorite idioms. I learned it in and American Sign Language class. One of the other students was trying to explain the expression “Fine as frog’s hair” to our deaf teacher. She kept saying “But frogs don’t have hair.” And he would say “Exactly!” And now I can’t say it anymore because of our friend, Mr. Wolverine. But that’s OK because now I have a new piece of trivia! Thanks for blogging about all the different creatures. They’re so fascinating!
Thank you for the nice comments!
I have never heard of the expression “Fine as frog’s hair”. I am sure you can still use the expression since there are a lot of widely used expressions that aren’t accurate (i.e. “Blind as a Bat”). Thank you so much for sharing the story and I hope your new piece of trivia works out for you!
Have a great weekend!
Crocodile Dundee would be proud!
Anxiously awaiting the five part mini-series coming to my computer…have a great weekend and a safe trip to Vancouver.
I am so happy you caught my Crocodile Dundee reference! I wasn’t sure if anyone would know the saying.
I will definitely try to have a safe trip to Vancouver. Have a great weekend!
Hi- I have chosen this blog as one of the 20 Charter Inductees into a Favorite Nature Blog feed. I’ve been building it over the last few days, and plan to start promoting it tomorrow. See http://favoritenatureblogs.blogspot.com/
Over the next few months I would like to “interview” each of the bloggers, and do one post on each person.
Hoping that this will bring a little more traffic your way.
Celebrating Nature, sharkbytes
Wow! Thank you so much Sharkbytes! I am honoured that you would think of me and Wild Facts as one of you 20 Charter Inductees. I checked out your site and I must say, what a great idea! There are a lot of interesting animal websites that I didn’t know existed. Having one location for all of them is excellent.
As well, I would love to do an interview so just let me know when and I will gladly answer some questions.
Thanks again!
UGLY!
They are beautiful on the inside!!!
Hairiness is a characteristic feature of Mammals only. I wonder how that frog got its hairs!
You are very observant, Cosmos! I am going to give you 5 Bonus Wild Fact Points (which I am not sure what they can be used for yet). You are indeed correct about hairiness being a mammal feature. The name of this frog tends to be a little misleading as the “hair” on both sides of the body are actually hair-like filaments. Curiously enough they are vascular papillae which are most notable during the breeding season.
Great question! This just made my whole day!
Have a great one!
Hairs at the Bottom? Eeeww! XD
it’s Defence mechanism is totaly Wicked! I would not dare to break my Bone and turn it into a Knife or a Dealy weapon it Really Hurts!
now I remember 2 Characters in Two Anime series that I’ve Watched
1. Zenki he Grows a pointed Weapon rom hisElbs and Knees and Called it Vadjula’s Nails
2. Naruto an Evil Enemy has the Technique/ninja Ability to Pull out his bones and Make them his Shield and Weapon and Regrow themso fast to replace the missing and his bones are Strong as Steel!
Woah! imagine Your bones Poking out of Your Skin and no blood?
that Really Hurts!
I am sure breaking your bone would hurt but it would be a pretty cool defense mechanism if you were about to get mugged in a dark alley.
I am not a big Anime fan but it is interesting to see that there are characters that have similar features to the interesting animals living on this planet. Maybe this is where they get their ideas from. I think the animals should demand a royalty for the shows.
Oops! I think I Wrongly Wrote my name XD
Cool Wild Facts Nathan! ^_^
hahaha! Thanks Kanjiruminamoto!