14 DAY TRIAL // Kiel University scientist Thomas Kleinteich had the surprise of a lifetime when, while working on generating a three-dimensional computer model of an otherwise perfectly ordinary frog, he noticed that something was stuck in the amphibian's throat.
Intrigued, the researcher tried to obtain a clearer view of the mysterious object and realized that it was another frog. That's right, what Thomas Kleinteich had before his eyes was a frog in a frog.
In a report detailing the bizarre occurrence, the Kiel University scientist explains that the cannibalistic amphibian he found with another of its kind lodged in its throat was a South-American horned frog, officially known as a Ceratophrys.
As it turns out, wildlife researchers have known for quite some time now that Ceratophrys are in the habit of snacking on rather large meals, especially when compared to their body size. To catch their prey, they simply use their strong, muscular tongues.
Still, specialists were not quite sure how Ceratophrys would consume their oversized treats. Well, the view obtained by Thomas Kleinteich indicates that they simply swallow it whole.
“We have known for a while that horned frogs are able to eat very large prey. Last year I was able to show experimentally, that horned frogs can produce extremely strong adhesive strength with their tongues, which they also need in order to catch larger prey.”
“With the micro-CT I am able to show, for the first time, how such a large catch can even fit inside a horned frog,” the Kiel University specialist said in a statement.
