Meet the hairy ‘Wolverine’ frog that breaks its own bones to mate

The name hairy frog comes from the hair-like threads that grow on the sides of male frogs during mating season. These aren’t actually hair; they’re skin filaments filled with blood vessels. Scientists believe they help the frogs breathe better while they’re guarding eggs underwater. You could call them temporary gills.

But the part that really grabs attention is what they do with their feet. According to experts, the frog can intentionally break its toe bones. These bones then pop out through the skin to become sharp claws, made entirely of bone, not like the keratin claws in cats or dogs.

Once the danger has passed, it’s thought that the claw can slip back in, and the tissue eventually heals over time. How exactly it heals is still a bit of a mystery.

The name hairy frog comes from the hair-like threads that grow on the sides of male frogs during mating season (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Fighting for love, and territory

Interestingly, these bone claws aren’t just used for self-defence. Male hairy frogs also use them when they’re competing with each other during mating season. They’ll fight with rival males to protect their territory and win over potential mates. It’s a bit like a jungle version of a wrestling match, just with broken bones involved.

Since they’re not very fast and live in thick forest, this self-defence technique may be their best chance to survive when a predator shows up.

The hairy frog might sound terrifying, but it’s actually a fascinating example of how creative nature can be. Breaking your own bones to survive sounds extreme, but for this frog, it works.

It’s not a creature most people will ever see, as it lives in a small part of Central Africa and stays hidden. But it’s definitely one of the weirdest and most unforgettable animals out there.