What are Fanged Frogs?

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About Fanged Frogs

They refer to a group of 75 species of frogs belonging to the genus Limnonectes.
These frogs are known for their distinctive fang-like structures, which are actually projections of their jaw bone.
They are found throughout East and Southeast Asia.
However, unlike many snakes, these frogs don’t use their fangs to bite humans or inject venom into a person’s body.
They use these fangs to battle with each other over territory and mates, and sometimes even to hunt tough-shelled prey like giant centipedes and crabs.
Many frogs in this genus are giants, weighing up to two pounds.

Key Facts about Limnonectes phyllofolia

It is the smallest species of fanged frog.
It was found on the mountainous island of Sulawesi in Indonesia.
They’ve been given the nickname “leaf-nester” because, unlike most frogs, they don’t lay their eggs in water.
They make their nest either on tree leaves or on moss-covered boulders away from water, and the males guard them.
Adults are brown in colour.

Q1) What is a Fang?

Fang refers to a long, pointed tooth, typically found in carnivorous animals such as snakes, dogs, or big cats. Fangs are specialized teeth used for puncturing and holding prey, injecting venom, or tearing flesh. In a broader sense, fangs can also symbolize aggression, power, or danger.

Source: World’s smallest ‘fanged’ frogs found in Indonesia