Natures wonders: venomous frogs (Introduction)

by David Turell , Thursday, August 13, 2015, 21:58 (3388 days ago) @ Balance_Maintained
edited by dhw, Friday, August 14, 2015, 08:05

In Brazil two types have spikes on their head to deliver the powerful poison to enemies:-http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2015/08/06/spiky-skulled-frogs-head-butt-enemies-to-deliver-deadly-toxins/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DSC_News_150813_FInal&utm_content=-"Corythomantis greeningi and Aparasphenodon brunois frogs, native to Brazil, have skin secretions that are more deadly than the venom of pit vipers. A single gram of A. brunois secretions could kill 80 humans. But unlike poisonous amphibians, these frogs have an additional trick up their sleeve: They have spikes growing on their skulls, and when danger is near, they head-butt predators to ensure the toxic payload hits its mark. -" They found that both species use skull spines to pierce their own epidermis to expose spike in areas of the skin packed with poison glands - kind of like retractable claws. For these frogs, the poison glands are concentrated near the nose and lips. So when the frogs are restrained, they release a thick secretion, flex their heads and jab their faces into the skin of their captor."