<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis funky looking frog is the Titicaca water frog (Telmatobius culeus<\/em>). It’s one of the world’s largest aquatic frogs and certainly earns its place in our list of weird frogs due to its excessive amount of skin. The saggy, flappy skin aids in respiration due to its small lungs. In fact, the Titicaca water frog’s skin absorbed so much oxygen from the water, it never has to resurface to breathe air. The locals joking call it the “Titicaca scrotum frog” in reference to its outlandish skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis species is found in the cool waters of Lake Titicaca, which sits on the border between Bolivia and Peru. Due to pollution and the introduction of trout, which are rapidly consuming the tadpoles, this species is now critically endangered. To make matters worse, over 10,000 Titicaca water frogs were found dead on the shores of Lake Titicaca in the month of October 2016. While the cause is still unknown, scientists speculate pollution is the reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Glass Frog<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPhoto credit: Geoff Gallice \/ Wikipedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nGlass frogs get their name from the transparent skin on their abdominal region. The skin is actually see-through, allowing you to see their beating heart, intestinal tract, liver, and veins. Glass frogs belong to the family Centrolenidae<\/em>, in which there are two subfamilies containing several species inhabiting Central and South America.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMale reticulated glass frogs protect their offspring by guarding the female’s eggs. Females will lay their clutch of eggs on the underside of a leaf and then the male protects them from predators until they hatch into tadpoles. While the adult glass frog has one of the best Camouflages in the world, the eggs are easy targets for wasps. Unfortunately for the wasp, the glass frog is a ferocious fighter with a strong kick and they’re not afraid to fight back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe discovery of a new species of Glass frog has stirred up a lot of excitement in the amphibian & muppet world in recent years. The Hyalinobatrachium dianae<\/i> has adapted the common-name “Kermit frog” due to its similarities to Kermit the Frog. With its lime-green color and large, white eyes, it’s easy to see why people are calling it that. The “Kermit frog” was discovered in 2015 on the foothills of Costa Rica.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMorogoro Tree Toad<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPhoto credit: michelemenegon \/ iNaturalist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Morogoro tree toad (Nectophrynoides viviparus<\/em>) is such a fascinating species. In my opinion, it looks like a small frog but it is, in fact, a true toad<\/em> from the Bufonidae family. They come in a wide array of colors but one thing they all have in common is the small mucous glands all over their bodies. Paratoid glands are found directly behind their eyes, just beside their tympani (circular hearing structures). The paratoid glands often contrast the color of their body, which makes them stand out even more.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis species grows up to 2.4 inches in length and has partially webbed feet. They are native to regions of Tanzania between the Udzungwa and Uluguru mountains. Most of their days are spent among bamboos and wooded areas nearing forest edges at altitudes over 4,400 feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Back in 2004, the IUCN threat status for Morogoro tree toads was Vulnerable (VU) but was recently changed to Least Concern (LC). It’s always good news to see a once-endangered species making a recovery!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shovel-headed Tree Frog<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPhoto credit: Cheryl Harleston \/ iNaturalist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nShovel-headed Tree frogs (diaglena spatulata<\/em>) are known in Mexico as “Mexican Shovel-headed frog” and for good reason; they’re native to Mexico, found along the Southwestern coastline and, of course, their face kind of looks like a shovel.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis species is very similar in appearance to that of the Aparasphenodon<\/em> genus which hails from Southeastern Brazil. Both species have the weird, duck-bill shaped nose that jet’s out of their face’s like Pinocchio claiming to be a “real boy”. The diaglena spatulata<\/em> inhabits shrublands and tropical forests, reproducing in freshwater bodies left by spring-time rains.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSouth American Common Toad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe South American Common Toad is known as the Mitred toad, crested forest toad and probably a handful of other “common names”. Its scientific name is Rhinella margaritifera<\/em> and it’s considered species complex. This means there are probably different species being labeled as margaritifera<\/em> but herpetologists haven’t studied them enough to differentiate them.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThese toads are common in South America throughout Guianas, Panama and the Amazon Basin. Their shape and coloration give them one of the best camouflages in the world. At first glance you may never see them, having mistaken them for a fallen leaf. Most people can only find them when they move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because they are in a complex species, their colors vary greatly. Some have the colors of a dead leaf, one has a bright vertebral stripe, and the others are a mixture of bright and dark colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This particular frog (the one pictured above) has an eccentric cranial crest and reddish-brown color, perfect for blending in with leaf litter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Darwin’s Frog<\/h3>\n\n\n\nPhoto credit: Mono Andes \/ Wikipedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Darwin’s frog (Rhinoderma darwinii<\/em>) is a bizarre little creature for more than one reason. At first glance, this species appears to be involved in look-a-like contest with fallen leaves. They range in colors between bright green to brown and sometimes gray. Regardless of the coloration on top, their underside is always dark brown; the perfect color combo to mimic that of a fallen leaf.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNot only do Darwin’s frogs have fascinating colors, their pointy, elongated snout makes them stand out as unique among the amphibians of the world. But even its nose is not the most outlandish feature this species is known for. You see, this frog is known for something entirely different; its weird reproduction habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Much like the Glass frogs, male Darwin’s frogs guard their offspring against predators. They take things a bit farther, though. They guard the clutch of eggs until it begins moving, at which time they ingest the eggs into their mouths; the eggs are stored in the male’s vocal sac. Eventually, the eggs hatch into tadpoles and they remain in their father’s vocal sac all the way through metamorphosis. Once they’ve developed into little frogs, they hop out of their dad’s mouth and begin their lives!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Desert Rain Frog<\/h3>\n\n\n\n