These Frogs Have Fangs and Hunt in Pairs Like Velociraptors

A croak in the dark? No big deal. Frogs hop around, snatching up flies with ultra-fast tongues. They just kind of keep to themselves, harmless as ever (unless you're one of those flies!). But wait—there is a special kind of fanged frog that proves to be aggressive and territorial. Not only that, but they team up and hunt together. Researchers are stunned as they gather more and more data about the behavior of these amphibians. Discover fanged frogs that hunt in pairs (much like velociraptors).

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With behavior like the velociraptor in this photo, fanged frogs aren't some digitally created depiction. They're real, alive, and hunting as we speak. They display unusual behavior using teeth-like structures and behave in ways that scientists are still struggling to understand.

Typically, when you think of a frog, you picture a hopping loner, eating insects contentedly as they make their way about your yard and near ponds. But some frog species have an entirely different method of hunting for sustenance, and it incorporates a whole strategy. Are they just like mini-velociraptors? Let's explore more.

Here's the deal. The term "fanged frogs" isn't figurative. They're not little vampire-like creatures, but they do have little fangs. They belong to the Limnonectes genus and are found primarily in Sulawesi, among other regions in Southeast Asia. When they open their little mouths, there they are—tiny fangs.

While they look like teeth, they're not. They're bony projections called odontodes. These tiny odontodes can rip and pierce the skin of larger prey. It's not just insects on the menu for fanged frogs. They can also snack on other frogs (yikes!), rodents, and even birds.

Whereas your typical frog finds food on solo quests, fanged frogs team up with other fanged frogs to hunt together. Observations suggest group behavior, and even anecdotal reports point to them moving in unison toward areas rich with prey. Researchers speculate that they come together to ambush their prey, which demonstrates an uncanny ability to coordinate and plan.

The way they position themselves permits them to surprise attack. They use certain vocalizations, like calls, to communicate with one another. Their nocturnal movements point to coordination, not random, unpredictable movements. Researchers are still studying them, so there aren't many observations to confirm suspected behavior.

In some ways, they are like tiny raptors. They are equipped with curved weapons, and they ambush their prey in groups. But they don't have a hierarchy, and so far, there isn't evidence of high-level planning. You might compare them with another type of animal, however.

Just look at those teeth. Much like the fanged frog's odontodes. Piranhas also attack in a frenzy with fellow piranhas, taking their prey by surprise and overcoming them with sheer force. Some might compare fanged frogs with wolves, considering how stealthy they are and how they exploit numbers when hunting.

Not only are they equipped with little fangs, but these frogs also have wildly strong jaws. Their legs are muscular, so they can pounce with ease and speed, and those fangs allow for gripping. The way their eyes are positioned plays a part as well, since they have greater depth perception.

Sure, they eat insects, but that's not all they crave. Fanged frogs also eat other amphibians, some small mammals, and birds. Since they're fanged and work together in numbers, attacking larger prey is made possible.

Frog behavior was long perceived to be simple and individualistic. Researchers are surprised to learn that fanged frogs exist and are intrigued by their unusual behavior. This discovery challenges previous notions regarding frog behavior.

It reveals possibilities about the intelligence level of amphibians, along with how they've evolved to adapt to their environments. Frogs were long considered simple and easy to figure out, but fanged frogs have thrown a wrench into that understanding. Now, we know group hunting is part of frog behavior.

The research isn't fully developed yet because of how rare sightings are, but there are a couple of documented cases that have scientists leaning in with open eyes and an arched brow. What we know now is that not all frogs are built the same. These tiny raptors could just be one of the wild's weirdest hunters.