THAT TAKE GUTS
GLASS FROG
Tropical forests are teeming with predators for whom frogs are top of the menu, so these amphibians have understandably evolved some nifty defences. Glass frogs inhabit the humid cloud forests of South and Central America, rely on a novel form of camouflage: they bare all or almost all. As this studio photo of Hyalinobatrachium aureoguttatum shows, their see-through skin offers up an eyeful of beating heart, blood vessels, bones, and digestive tract. But why display your innards? After all, predators can still see you. A recent study revealed the secret to their curious camouflage, and it lies not so much in their body, but their legs. As the most translucent part of the animals, their legs match the brightness of the background foliage. By blending in, the disappearing phantom limbs help to hide the true outline of these freakish frogs.
THE EYES HAVE IT
PACIFIC BARRELEYE FISH
This story is from the January - February 2021 edition of BBC Earth.
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This story is from the January - February 2021 edition of BBC Earth.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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