Friday, January 7, 2011

Vampire Flying Frog Discovered in Vietnam

An Australian scientist has discovered an unusual species of frog in southern Vietnam.

The vampire flying frog uses its webbed toes to glide between treetops.


But it earned its nickname because the frogs' tadpoles have strange black fangs.

Australian Museum scientist Dr Jodi Rowley, who found the frog, says it is the first time fangs have been discovered in a tadpole.

"We don't know of anything quite like this that's for sure, so we're taking a lot of time to work out why on Earth they have these fangs," Dr Rowley said.

"Maybe it's got something to do with what they eat.
"They breed in very small pools of water that are found in the holes in the trunks of trees, so maybe they eat something particularly strange up there."Via