Scientists in Australia have discovered a tree frog with bright blue skin instead of the usual green color, new pictures show. The blue pigmentation is due to a rare genetic mutation, experts say. Land managers in a wildlife sanctuary in Kimberley, Western Australia, spotted the mutant amphibian when it hopped into their workshop and sat on a bench gazing at them, Friday (July 12).
Scientists later identified the animal as a magnificent tree frog ( ). The land managers sent pictures of the blue frog to , a conservation and ecology intern with the (AWC). "Seeing the picture of the frog, it definitely elevated my heart rate," Barker told ABC News.
"It was so cool, it was a really exciting and special thing." Magnificent tree frogs are usually green with white spots on their backs, according to AWC. They grow to (10 centimeters) long and have a characteristic poison gland on the top of their heads.
The poison tastes extremely bitter and serves as a defense mechanism against predators, such as larger amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The frogs can live for 20 years and inhabit areas of low rainfall across the northern Kimberley region and nearby Northern Territory. Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.
This is the first time researchers have ever seen a blue-skinned magnificent tree frog, according to AWC. The mutant frog had an olive-green poison gland on its head, a few white spots on its back and yellow toe pads, the pictures s.