First Ever Venomous Frogs Discovered with a Deadly Headbut

Scientists have uncovered the world's first venomous frogs. They've found two species of frog, both living in Brazil, that deliver their harmful toxins by headbutting other animals.

"Discovering a truly venomous frog is nothing any of us expected, and finding frogs with skin secretions more venomous than those of the deadly pit vipers of the genus Bothrops was astounding," said Edmund Brodie, one of the researchers, in a news release.

The two frogs in question are called Corythomantis greening and Aparasphenodon brunoi. Both have been known for decades, if not centuries. However, researchers have investigated their biology before now.

The researchers were collecting frogs for further study when one of the scientists injured his hand on one of the frog's spines on the top of its head. His hand experienced intense, radiating pain for about five hours afterward. Fortunately for the scientist, the frog that injured him was the less toxic of the two.

After looking at the venom from the frogs, the researchers found that a single gram of the toxic secretion from the other frog species, A. brunoi, would be enough to kill more than 300,000 mice or about 80 humans.

"It is unlikely that a frog of this species produces this much toxin, and only very small amounts would be transferred by the spines into a wound," said Brodie. "Regardless, we have been unwilling to test this by allowing a frog to jab us with its spines."

The researchers plan to better characterize the venom and the skin glands that produce the venom. They're also intent on studying several other frog species from around the world to see if they are also venomous.

The findings are published in the journal Current Biology.

Related Stories

New App May Protect Endangered Species with Technology, Backed by the FWS

For more great science stories and general news, please visit our sister site, Headlines and Global News (HNGN).