The fact that torrent frogs fare so much better in wet, slippery situations comes down to one reason – they just put more effort into it.
The fact that torrent frogs fare so much better in wet, slippery situations comes down to one reason – they just put more effort into it.
Their reward is that they get to expand their habitats to include waterfalls, mountain streams and other places fellow amphibians like tree frogs can only dream of.
In a recent study from the University of Glasgow in Scotland, , scientists found that their super gripping power is a result of their toes, stomach, and inner thighs all working together to get maximum surface adhesion.
Tree frogs, on the other hand, do this for a while, but give up when the conditions become too extreme.
To find this out, the researchers placed torrent frogs and tree frogs on a transparent, rigid sheet.
When the surface was still even and dry, and both species of frogs were able to hold on without much effort.
Adding a little water and slanting the platform a bit prompted each to strengthen their grips by enlisting the help of their stomachs and thighs.
As conditions became more challenging, the tree frogs full-body grip weakened and they fell off. The torrent frogs however, were able to keep their clinging power until they were almost completely upside down.
