Written by April Ryder | issued
When you think of frogs, fangs aren’t usually the first thing that comes to mind. But the lush volcanic hills of Indonesia’s Sulawesi island are home to more than a few species of tusked frogs.
The frog species Limnonectes larvae are also found there, and are the only frog species in the world that actually give birth to live tadpoles rather than laying eggs first.
Recently, the gorgeous and mysterious island of Sulawesi revealed one of its most intriguing secrets to the world in the form of Earth’s smallest fanged frog, Limonectes phylofolia. Limonectes phyllofolia is the traditional amphibian egg-laying body, and for good reason.
Frogs usually lay their eggs in or near a water source so that the outer jelly coating does not dry out while the babies grow.
![](https://www.giantfreakinrobot.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tadpole-900x507.jpg)
This fanged frog, unlike most frogs, does not live in or near natural water sources. When scientists discovered Limonectes phylofolia, it was found in the rainy forests of the island.
Breeding near water sources is dangerous play, but frogs that lay their eggs inland have a different kind of battle when it comes to keeping their developing eggs safe.
Unusually, the frog’s lower jaw consists of two small, protruding fangs.
A team of herpetologists from the United States and Indonesia have discovered a new species of fanged frog after discovering clusters of black frog eggs laid on leaves and moss-covered rocks several feet off the ground. The discovery of frog eggs in such a strange place immediately attracted the attention of scientists.
Frogs usually lay their eggs in or near a water source so that the outer jelly coating does not dry out while the babies grow. Shortly after discovering the new fanged frog eggs, herpetologists caught a glimpse of several small brownish frogs tasked with guarding the egg nest.
The latest species discovered weighs only about the size of a dime, about 2 grams.
In addition to protecting their egg nests from intrusion by other organisms, tree frogs regularly coat their eggs with essential compounds to keep them moist and prevent bacteria and fungi from entering. What’s even more unusual is that all of the egg guardians were male frogs.
Scientists had a chance to take a closer look at a newly discovered fanged frog species and discovered that it had a row of tiny teeth in its upper jaw. Once again, contrary to the norm, the frog’s lower jaw consists of two small, protruding fangs.
Other tusked frogs live on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, but Limonectes phylofolia (meaning leaf nest) is very small in comparison. The island’s other fanged frog, sometimes called the saber-toothed tiger, weighs about 2 pounds. The latest species discovered weighs only about the size of a dime, about 2 grams.
Tree frogs, which live in Southeast Asia, originally evolved fangs to be used as weapons in fights for territory, food, and mating. Frogs that nest near major waterways fight for the best spawning spots and use their fangs to bite into various food sources, such as crabs and centipedes.
Limonectes phyllofolia may have developed only small fangs due to its location. These fanged frogs primarily feed on small insects, so they don’t need to have fangs large enough to bite crabs. There are also not many types of frogs that lay their eggs among the leaves of the forest. Less competition means less reason to grow giant fangs.
sauce: agreement