Logan Has Some Competition From The French
In what can only be described as nature swiping from Len Wein, there has been a new discovery in our illustrious animal kingdom. It would appear that the frog family Arthroleptidae (in particular Astylosternus (the night frogs) and Trichobatrachus (the hairy frog) ) have developed a rather unique self defense mechanism - bone claws.
Yes, the bane of X-Men storytelling from the 90s has reappeared in frogs. An appearance by Magneto has yet to be announced.
According to Not Exactly Rocket Science, these African-born frogs use small bone protrusions from their feet as a weapon when they are attacked. It's an unusual trait so far as researchers are aware. Much like our mutant friend, these claws create new wounds each time they're "popped," unlike a cat's claws which are protruded from permanent holes in the cat's paws.
Ed Yong explains:
For a start, they are made of naked bone and lack the sheath of keratin that covers the claws of all other land-living back-boned animals. The way they work is special too. When the claw is 'at rest', it lies completely within the flesh of the toe, held in place by a small, bony nodule, which is in turn anchored to the frogs' skin. The nodule holds the claw in place, and prevents it from being accidentally extended while the frogs go about their day-to-day business.When the frogs are threatened, they flex a muscle that connects to the lower half of the claw. This severs the connection to the nodule and pulls the claw downward. Its barb-like tip is made of reinforced and thickened bone, which easily pierces through the skin of the toe.
This very may well be the downright oddest topic I'll have written about when my tenure here at Pink Kryptonite comes to an end some day.
Via Pop Goes the Icon.
Thanks for the linkage. Now I'm just waiting for these scientists to rename the family Loganoleptidae...
This explains the awkward tension felt by everyone when Logan and Toad are in the mansion showers together...
But does it go *SNIKT* when they let them out?
wtf double post D:
my apologies