Scientists have identified a new species of glass frog in the rainforests of Costa Rica that bears a striking resemblance to the beloved Muppet character, Kermit the Frog.
This species, known as Hyalinobatrachium dianae, was first described in 2015 by a team of Costa Rican herpetologists.
The frog is particularly notable for its vibrant green coloration and large, white eyes with horizontal pupils, making it look cartoonishly similar to Kermit.
It belongs to the glass frog family, named for their translucent skin on the underside, which sometimes allows internal organs to be visible.
Discovered in the Caribbean foothills of the Talamanca Mountains, H. dianae is an arboreal species that lives in the canopy and is primarily active at night.
Its call was initially mistaken for an insect’s, contributing to its late discovery.
While the resemblance to Kermit is mostly a fun pop-culture coincidence, the discovery highlights the biodiversity of Central American rainforests and the importance of conservation in such ecosystems.
The frog’s appearance and behavior emphasize how much remains to be uncovered in the natural world.
Scientists have identified a new species of glass frog in the rainforests of Costa Rica that bears a striking resemblance to the beloved Muppet character, Kermit the Frog.
This species, known as Hyalinobatrachium dianae, was first described in 2015 by a team of Costa Rican herpetologists.
The frog is particularly notable for its vibrant green coloration and large, white eyes with horizontal pupils, making it look cartoonishly similar to Kermit.
It belongs to the glass frog family, named for their translucent skin on the underside, which sometimes allows internal organs to be visible.
Discovered in the Caribbean foothills of the Talamanca Mountains, H. dianae is an arboreal species that lives in the canopy and is primarily active at night.
Its call was initially mistaken for an insect’s, contributing to its late discovery.
While the resemblance to Kermit is mostly a fun pop-culture coincidence, the discovery highlights the biodiversity of Central American rainforests and the importance of conservation in such ecosystems.
The frog’s appearance and behavior emphasize how much remains to be uncovered in the natural world.