Leaping is second nature for frogs and toads, but a graceful landing isn’t guaranteed for every species.
The miniature Brachycephalus frogs of Brazil can’t seem to stick a clean landing.
Instead, they tumble and flop through the air until they lose momentum and crash to the ground.
Luiz F. Ribeiro
Here’s Brachycephalus coloratus launching into a backflip that turns into a backflop.
Richard L. Essner, Jr.
And here’s Brachycephalus pernix attempting what looks like a failed effort to land on two feet.
Richard L. Essner, Jr.
Luiz F. Ribeiro
These species of frogs clearly lack the grace in their leaps that others innately have — and researchers wanted to know why.
A new study published in Science Advances finally has an answer, and it’s not due to their tiny legs.
Shutterstock
The researchers took CT scans of frogs and toads from 147 species, and looked at a small but particularly vital body part: the inner ear canal.
Shutterstock
Brachycephalus mirissimus
They found that the inner ear canals of Brachycephalus frogs are the smallest among all vertebrates.
Shutterstock
Previousstudies on larger frogs and toads who had their inner ears removed or manipulated show that messing with this part of the body can have a huge impact on the animals’ ability to land after a jump.
So the clumsiness of Brachycephalus is most likely due to their minuscule inner ears, the researchers write.
Luiz F. Ribeiro
However, what the tiny frogs lack in nimbleness, they make up in other ways.
Richard L. Essner, Jr.
Shutterstock
Living in forest underbrush, they’re masters of camouflage.
And their bright orange skin is also toxic — a warning sign that might keep them from needing to leap away from predators in the first place.