Hairy Frog (Trichobatrachus robustus), also known as "the wolf frog" or "Wolverine the frog"It is one of the most unusual amphibians in the world.
📌 What makes it unique?
✔ Grows "hair" on the body!
✔ Breaks your own bones to create claws!
✔ It lives in Central Africa, in moist forests and near rivers
✔ It is nocturnal and has almost never been studied by science
🌍 This incredible species impresses with its amazing biology and adaptations to harsh living conditions.
In this article, we will look at anatomy, behavior, adaptations, and threats to the hairy frog.
Scientific classification
✔ The Kingdom: Animals (Animalia)
✔ Type: Chordal (Chordata)
✔ Class: Amphibians (Amphibia)
✔ Row: Tailless ones (Anura)
✔ Family: Arthroleptic frogs (Arthroleptidae)
✔ Gender: Hairy frogs (Trichobatrachus)
✔ View: Trichobatrachus robustus
📌 The only representative of its kind!
Appearance and features of the structure
🐸 What does a hairy frog look like?
✔ Medium size: 10-13 cm
✔ Colour: Brownish-green, with dark spots
✔ Skin: Covered in warts, it looks rough
✔ The most amazing thing: "hair" on the sides and hind legs
🔹 Why is the frog "hairy"?
✔ These are not hair, but outgrowths of the skin, similar to threads
✔ They contain blood vessels for extra breath in the water
✔ Appear only in males during breeding season
📌 These outgrowths help the frogs to saturate the body with oxygen while keeping their eggs in the water.
Amazing defense mechanism - "Wolverine claws"
🦴 The hairy frog can create real claws!
✔ In case of danger She breaks her bones
✔ Bones pierce the skin and become claws
✔ Uses them for protection from predators
📌 This is a rare example of a defense mechanism among amphibians that more closely resembles superhero abilities!
Habitat and lifestyle
🌍 Where does it live?
✔ Central African Rainforests
✔ Cameroon, Gabon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria
✔ Lives near fast rivers and streams
🔹 Activity
✔ Mostly nocturnal
✔ Leads a semi-aquatic lifestyle
✔ Jumps and moves well on rocks
📌 Meet this frog in the wild is not easy, because it is a master of disguise!
Diet and hunting
🍽 What does it eat?
✔ Insects, spiders, millipedes
✔ Small invertebrates
✔ Sometimes eats other amphibians
📌 It hunts thanks to its camouflage skin and quick reflexes.
Reproduction and care of offspring
💖 How is reproduction going?
✔ Males guard their eggs in the water
✔ During this time, they grow leathery outgrowths for better breathing
✔ Tadpoles grow large-up to 5 cm
📌 Young individuals lead an aquatic lifestyle, and then move to land.
Life span
⌛ How long does a hairy frog live?
✔ In the wild-approximately 5-10 years old
✔ In captivity-to 15 years
📌 Scientists do not yet have accurate data on the maximum life expectancy in nature.
Major threats to the species
⚠ What threatens the frog?
✔ Loss of the natural environment because of deforestation
✔ Hunting locals - they believe that the frog's paws have magical properties
✔ Climate change and water pollution
📌 Although this species is not a major threat, its population is declining due to human activity.
Use in traditional medicine
🔮 Locals use the paws of a hairy frog to create adorable zillas
✔ They are considered to bring good luck
✔ They are used to make amulets
📌 Because of this, the frog often becomes a victim of poaching.
Can I keep a hairy frog at home?
🏡 Home maintenance is almost impossible!
✔ Need a special aquaterrarium
✔ Sophisticated care and special nutrition
✔ Not sold in pet stores due to limited quantities in nature
📌 She is mostly kept in scientific institutions for research.
Interesting facts about the hairy frog
💡 This is the only frog that can create claws out of bones!
💡 Has "hair" that helps her breathe!
💡 It leads a hidden lifestyle and is poorly researched by science!
💡 Her paws are used in magical rituals in Africa!
Conclusion
Volokh the hairy frog – a unique amphibian with amazing abilities. She grows "hair", creates bone claws and can survive in harsh environments.
, But via hunting and deforestation this rare species may be threatened with extinction.
🔥 Nature surprises us with incredible creatures-and the hairy frog is one of the most mysterious! 🐸💚
