Why does the hairy frog have claws?

These structures help the frogs intake more oxygen through their skin while they take care of their brood. The most interesting feature are the claws found in the hind feet only, nestled inside a mass of connective tissue.

Does a hairy frog have claws?

The hairy frog is also notable in possessing retractable “claws”, which it may project through the skin, apparently by intentionally breaking the bones of the toe. These are not true claws, as they are made of bone, not keratin.

What is the hairy frog defense mechanism?

Harvard biologists have described a bizarre, hairy frog with cat-like extendable claws. Trichobatrachus robustus actively breaks its own bones to produce claws that puncture their way out of the frog’s toe pads, probably when it is threatened.

Do any frogs have claws?

The frogs defend themselves with sharp bone claws on their hind feet but to do so, the animals have to drive the claws through their own skin. Two genera in particular – Astylosternus (the night frogs) and Trichobatrachus (the hairy frog) – have well developed claws on eight of their hind toes.

What kind of claws does a hairy frog have?

The hairy frog is also notable in possessing retractable “claws” (though unlike true claws, they are made of bone, not keratin), which it may project through the skin, apparently by intentionally breaking the bones of the toe.

How does a hairy frog break its bones?

Description. When sheathed, each claw is anchored to the nodule with tough strands of collagen, but, as Gerald Durrell discovered firsthand, when the frog is grabbed or attacked, the frog breaks the nodule connection and forces its sharpened bones through the skin.

What kind of food does a hairy frog eat?

Adults feed on slugs, myriapods, spiders, beetles and grasshoppers. The hairy frog is also notable in possessing retractable “claws” (though unlike true claws, they are made of bone, not keratin), which it may project through the skin, apparently by intentionally breaking the bones of the toe.

How are the claws of a frog anchored?

When sheathed, each claw is anchored to the nodule with tough strands of collagen, but, as Gerald Durrell discovered firsthand, when the frog is grabbed or attacked, the frog breaks the nodule connection and forces its sharpened bones through the skin.