Sunday, June 25, 2017

The Ant Lion Frogs of the Triassic #Science


Chinlestegophis jenkinsi was a tiny subterranean carnivore and is an ancient relative of frogs and salamanders.

Credit: Illustration by Jorge Gonzalez

The Rockhouse really digs ant lions because there are many outside here and they use the same sneaky trick as in the picture in which they make pits in the ground so other creatures will fall into them to become lunch.  We love that clever dementedness.


Even better, these ant lion frogs could be up to five feet long.

Researchers have determined that the fossils of an extinct species from the Triassic Period are the long-missing link that connects Kermit the Frog's amphibian brethren to wormlike creatures with a backbone and two rows of sharp teeth.

Named Chinlestegophis jenkinsi, the newfound fossil is the oldest relative of the most mysterious group of amphibians: caecilians. Today, these limbless, colorful serpentine carnivores live underground and range in size from 6 inches to 5 feet.

Science Daily:  Tiny fossils reveal backstory of the most mysterious amphibian alive

Suddenly the perspective changes when we see these creatures don't eat ants but they might eat you.  Now we see how it goes.


The interested student may wish to pursue it further since it gives an extraordinary example of coping with high heat and lack of water.


The ant lion frog has mostly played out for Rockhouse purposes since, once you grok this thing may eat you, our work is done.  Do step lively out there, hear?

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