From a tw**t by J. Rowley (h/t: Matthew Cobb), we have a very cryptic frog; the caption is “From #Moss to #Frog in a single move. It’s no wonder this species is called the Vietnam Moss Frog (Theloderma corticale)!” Actually, it’s called the “mossy frog”, is semiaquatic, and lives in the primary evergreen forests of Southeast Asia.
To enhance the crypsis, they curl up in a ball, like the one on the left, to hide their froggyness:
A photo from Wikipedia (go to this page to see a lot more):
And from WildFacts:
And here’s a short video:
Are you sure that is not a chia pet?
Cool.
Even the eyes are mossy!
“It looks a like a barnacle, it looks like a piece of moss.”
uh, what?
Even the eyes.
I like how the demonstrator slipped in a little evolution by natural selection.
The brown-orange dots look like the apothecia of some lichens.
I had to look up apothecia, but when I saw it, I knew exactly what it was; there’s a name for everything I tell ya. And you’re right, those orange dots do look similar.
This settles it–from now on I’m going to have to assume that every random rock, twig, or patch of moss I walk past is a disguised animal until proven otherwise.
Only a problem if they try to eat you.
😉
cr
Another great disguise.
Looking at the first photo, for a moment I though the frog was a crafts project kit that one could buy in a Michaels or Jo-Ann store.
though >> thought
Well they probably wouldn’t sell it at Hobby Lobby, maybe a Jesus Lizard kit…
Can’t remember the last time I set foot in a Hobby Lobby – even though there’s a big one on the way home from work. I imagine that the music piped throughout the store is particularly odious this time of year.
Maybe Hobby Lobby makes kits to stock the gift shop at the Creation Museum! o.O
I, for one, welcome our new Special Forces Frog Overlords!
HA!