Many things may seem brought out of fiction ...But a woolly frog is too much ...Well, not quite woolly, but a hairy frog does exist!

The hairy frogs (Astylosternus sp), indeed a very unusual frog, dwells the rivers and streams in Western and Central Africa. They have a length of 10 cm (4 inch) and weigh about 80 grams, looking like some ordinary frogs, with their brown to olive green color and yellow spots. Their long limbs are just appropriate for swimming in fast-flowing streams.

They also have very powerful fingers and toes with claws in order to catch prey, climb on smooth surfaces as well as for defense. Despite the frogs' name, the animals do not have real hairs. On the legs and both sides of the male's body there are hair-like filaments which are in fact vascular papillae, extremely well vascularised, that are most notable during the breeding season. They may have several functions, including the respiratory one, but nothing is precise about the role played by these "hairs"... However, Astylosternus uses lungs for breathing as well.

After mating, spawns and eggs are found in water while eggs are usually on the underside of stones. The males will sit on their eggs for long periods of time, and it is thought that the hairs assist in respiration through the skin, while they cannot use their lungs in the water. The Hairy frogs live up to 5 years. These strong frogs feed on small invertebrates including snails and small mammals using their strong limbs with sharp claws.