The Flashlight Frog is a cryptid purported to live in Cameroon. Ranging from three to six inches long, these amphibians have a horn-like protrusion on the end of their nose that emits a red light. They use this to attract insects. They catch them with a yellow, spiked tongue that is coated in a deadly saliva.
The Flashlight Frog was first mentioned by legendary cryptozoologist Karl Shuker in his 1997 book From Flying Toads to Snakes with Wings.
Quick Cryptid Snippet: Flashlight Frog
In June of 1997, naturalist and cryptozoologist, Jonathan Downes was visiting an animal fair at Newton Abbot in Devon, England. While there, he came across a cage of exotic tree frogs from Cameroon, West Africa. The exotic frog seller noted that the frogs were able to make their nose glow in darkness in order to attract prey. The vendor was selling the frogs for $38 per frog. Unable to purchase a specimen, Downes took the information to local herpetological scientists (herpetology: branch of zoology that studies amphibians) where he was told that science recognizes no frog species that are able to (or known to) produce a bioluminescent light.
The Flashlight Frog is described as being around 2-inches long with green skin uniformly covering its body and large pale eyes set widely upon its head. It is noted as having a slightly raised bump or “horn” at the end of its nose that is slightly blue in color. This is the area that is able to light up or glow via bioluminescence (the production and emission of light by a living organism). At night, it lights up its nose to attract flying insects and once close enough, the frog strikes with a long pale yellow tongue.
-The Pine Barrens Institute
*Image Credit: Google
I am proud to call both Karl and Jonathan my friends. They are both so kind and truly wonderful people. In my hiding from the world angst, however, I will admit that condition caused an unawareness of Jonathan’s discovery… and Karl’s reportage… forgive me, gentlemen, I know not what I do. I am so… nevermind. 🙁
This thing is cool. Bioluminessence in itself is cool… and one wonders in awe at how Mother Nature endows some with it and the requisite skills to use it for survival.
Mother knows best. And she cares not for our rules. Don’t forget it. It is something we can only hope to someday come to grips with.