Animal - Frog - Lick Me

by Mike Savad

Title

Animal - Frog - Lick Me

Artist

Mike Savad

Medium

Photograph - Watercolor

Description

Lick me, I dare you,

The peppermint frog (Dendrobates menthae) is a dazzling and unusual amphibian found in the lush rainforests of the Amazon. With its candy-striped red and white skin, it looks as if it leapt straight out of a confectioner's shop, but this striking appearance serves as a warning. Its skin secretes mentholamines, psychoactive compounds that produce an intense tingling sensation and a cooling, peppermint-like effect if licked. The euphoria that follows can last for hours, leaving predators disoriented and unlikely to make the same mistake twice. Though not as poisonous as dart frogs, the peppermint frog's lingering effects are a powerful deterrent.

What makes this frog even more extraordinary is its ability to adapt its defenses. Repeated agitation of its sticky skin triggers proteins in its secretion to harden into micro-spines, transforming its smooth surface into a prickly, mildly painful armor. Rainfall makes the frog's skin even stickier, helping it cling to slippery surfaces and occasionally trapping small insects for an opportunistic snack. While fascinating, this festive-looking creature serves as a reminder to admire nature's wonders from afar. The so-called "hallucinogenic candy of the Amazon" is best left untouched, as many an unwitting traveler has learned the minty and mind-altering way.

Uploaded

December 8th, 2024

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