Hairy Frog

Fascinating facts about the Hairy Frog

• The bone-breaking claw mechanism is unique among all known vertebrates. The bones spring back into place and the wound heals over, ready for the next threat.
• How the bones retract is still not fully understood. Some researchers believe passive tissue elasticity pulls them back; others think it is an active process.
• Males actively guard the egg clutches laid by females in fast-moving streams, wrestling with other males to maintain their position — which is when the oxygen demand drives the 'hair' development.

At a glance

About the Hairy Frog

The Hairy Frog — also called the Wolverine Frog — is the only known vertebrate to produce claws by breaking its own bones. When threatened, it flexes its foot muscles, snapping the tips of its toe bones through the skin to create sharp, curved claws. The 'hair' on the males is actually long dermal papillae packed with blood vessels.

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