The Surinam toad is one of the strangest frogs on Earth. Flat-bodied, tiny-eyed and adapted to the murky waters of the Amazon basin, it hunts well despite having very poor vision. When a fish swims close, the frog suddenly opens its mouth and sucks the prey inside in a fraction of a second.
Researchers from the University of California have recently discovered that the secret lies in its bizarre fingertips. Each finger ends in a cluster of 16 tiny lobes, giving the frog 128 miniature sensory structures. These lobes are packed with touch-sensitive nerve endings and can detect even the smallest movements in the surrounding water. Even in complete darkness, the frog can sense a fish approaching, by holding its long front legs outstretched, with its fingers spread wide.
