Species

A collection of animal species from around the world.

*Sources for information and photos (unless they are by me) can be found at the bottom of each species profile.

Amphibian, Australia Alexander Julius Jensen Amphibian, Australia Alexander Julius Jensen

Moaning Frog

The moaning frog is named for its call, which sounds like a slow and drawn-out moan. This burrowing frog is native to southwestern Western Australia, where its calls can keep people up at night — it's recommended to gently flood the frog's burrow each night until the moaning male moves on.

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Amphibian, Japan Alexander Julius Jensen Amphibian, Japan Alexander Julius Jensen

Anderson's Crocodile Newt

The ribs of Anderson's crocodile newt are untethered to any muscular attachments at their ends and jut into the skin along its back, giving it an armoured appearance. When threatened, it adopts an anti-predator posture — using its sharp rib tips to pierce the rows of bumps on its sides.

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Amphibian, Brazil Alexander Julius Jensen Amphibian, Brazil Alexander Julius Jensen

Pumpkin Toadlet

The pumpkin toadlet is one of the smallest frogs in the world — only some 18 mm (0.7 in) long. Because of its minuscule size, the organs in its ears that are responsible for balance cease to work mid-jump. As such, it cartwheels rigidly through the air before making a clumsy, floppy landing.

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Amphibian, United States Alexander Julius Jensen Amphibian, United States Alexander Julius Jensen

Red Salamander

During mating season, male red salamanders are not aggressive towards each other. In fact, they actually court one another — this likely isn't a case of mistaken sex, but an attempt to trick rival males into wasting their sperm packets (spermatophores).

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Amphibian, Africa Alexander Julius Jensen Amphibian, Africa Alexander Julius Jensen

Common Reed Frog

The common reed frog exhibits extreme variation in colour patterns — with some 50 recognised subspecies. Additionally, this frog changes the colour of its skin according to weather and temperature, turning pure white in the heat of the dry season.

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Amphibian, South America Alexander Julius Jensen Amphibian, South America Alexander Julius Jensen

Titicaca Water Frog

The Titicaca water frog lives solely in the depths of Lake Titicaca in the Andes mountains at elevations of 3,810 metres (12,500 feet). Its copious skin folds allow it to breathe — through cutaneous respiration (skin breathing) — at such high altitudes, its lungs are only 1/3 the size they should be.

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Amphibian, South America Alexander Julius Jensen Amphibian, South America Alexander Julius Jensen

Amazon Milk Frog

The Amazon milk frog isn't named for its milky white appearance, instead, its name refers to a poisonous milky substance that it secretes when threatened. It also uses the fluid as "sunscreen" — lathering it over its body to prevent itself from drying out in the sun.

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