The horror frog that breaks its own bones to grow claws
This frog defends itself by deliberately snapping its own bones and pushing the sharp ends through its skin.
Which one is REALLY true about the Hairy Frog?
The short version
The hairy frog of Central Africa grows hair-like skin strands to absorb extra oxygen while guarding eggs, and when threatened it breaks the small bones in its toes and forces the broken ends through its skin to form claws — like Wolverine.
Why it's so weird
- ✓The Hairy Frog breaks the small bones in its own toes and forces the sharp broken ends out through the skin of its feet to form claws.
- ✓The Hairy Frog contracts a muscle to snap those toe bones on purpose, only when a has already grabbed it.
- ✓The Hairy Frog grows strange hair-like strands of skin along its body during breeding season, packed with tiny blood vessels.
- ✓The Hairy Frog uses those skin hairs to soak up extra oxygen while the male stands guard over his eggs.
- ✓The Hairy Frog is one of the only animals known to build weapons out of its own skeleton, which is why people call it the horror frog.
You could line up about 11 of them along a 7-year-old!
The full story
This frog defends itself by deliberately breaking its own bones. Meet the hairy frog, an amphibian from Central Africa with two truly bizarre features. During breeding season, the male grows strange hair-like strands of skin along his body, packed with tiny blood vessels that help him absorb extra oxygen while he guards his eggs. But the real shock is its weapon. When a predator grabs it, the frog contracts a muscle that snaps the small bones in its toes, then forces the sharp, broken ends straight through the skin of its feet to form a set of claws. Scientists believe the claws slide back once the frog heals. It is one of the only animals known to build weapons out of its own skeleton. Follow for more weird animal facts.
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“The Hairy Frog breaks the small bones in its own toes and forces the sharp broken ends out through the skin of its feet to form claws.”
“The Hairy Frog has rear talons that can grow over five inches long — longer than a grizzly bear's claws.”
“The Hairy Frog contracts a muscle to snap those toe bones on purpose, only when a predator has already grabbed it.”