Reptiles and Amphibians

1115 readers

104 users here now

founded 4 years ago

MODERATORS

Sal@mander.xyz

The common milk frog (Trachycephalus typhonius) (infosec.pub)

submitted 1 year ago by Sal@mander.xyz to c/herpetology@mander.xyz

6 comments fedilink hide all child comments

This is a Trachycephalus typhonius, formerly Trachycephalus venulosus, from Yucatan.

These frogs secrete a sticky and irritant milk-like fliud through its skin when bothered. Several years ago I got some some of that fluid into my eyes by accident - that hurts similar to scratching one's eye after touching a spicy pepper. So, they are not terribly toxic but I certainly do not recommend the experience.

Funnily enough I just ran a search and found a publication of someone who describes a similar but worse experience: https://www.thebhs.org/publications/the-herpetological-bulletin/issue-number-152-summer-2020-1/3101-09-a-caution-on-handling-i-trachycephalus-venulosus-i-anura-hylidae-toxic-effects-of-skin-secretion-on-human-eyes/file

You may notice that the finger pads of this frog look green. That's because its bones are green! A characteristic feature of this species. Here is a photo (not mine) of a skeleton of one of these : https://www.pybio.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/t-ven31.jpg

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] Araithya@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

Wow, this is really well explained. Thanks! Interesting that some would evolve to have translucent skin and green bones to camouflage instead of just developing green pigment in the skin.