Hairy Frog: The Wolverine Frog That Breaks Its Bones To Make Claws When Threatened

The vicious claws of the hairy frog were first noted around 1900, but it wasn’t until after the turn of the millennium that scientists discovered how these strange amphibians produce them — or rather, snap them. When threatened, the hairy frog (Trichobatrachus robustus) deliberately breaks its own toe bones, which then pierce through the skin to form cat-like claws that it can rake across an attacker. No wonder it’s earned the nickname “horror frog.” The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.

Claws are rare among amphibians , and unlike those seen in mammals they don’t have a keratinized veneer. The wolverine frog’s claw are also transient, slipping in and out of the skin of the fingers. Whether baring the claws is an active pro