Written by Today we have a truly uncommon creature in the form of a see-through frog. This strange little amphibian, often referred to as a glass frog, comes in 60 different varieties and is most notable for its translucent skin that allows a rather immodest view of all its internal organs. From underneath, you can catch a scandalous view of its liver, heart and intestines. Living in southern Mexico, Central and South America, glass frogs prefer a tropical life in the lush rainforests, usually high in the treetops above the water. Certain species of glass frogs, however, are endangered due to habitat loss.
It is thought by scientists that these creatures evolved with invisible skin to act as a form of camouflage. Since they are typically high in the trees, looking up at bits of organs rather than seeing an actual frog is somewhat confusing for predators. Many species have white bones, but some sport green bones which add a little extra to the show when viewed through the skin. Unlike many other frogs, these little guys have eyes that face forward rather than to sides, giving them a unique appearance.
Glass frogs are night owls and like to sleep during the day and hit the town at night. Males have rather strong territorial instincts and get a little ticked if another male enters their breeding territory. To warn off the unwanted suitor, the frog makes a super strange, low intensity sound. If that doesn’t work, the frog jumps around wildly on top of the intruder until it gets the message and goes away. After a successful mating session, the female lays 20 to 30 eggs, which are also transparent removing all need for a sonogram. Don’t forget to mention an uncommon creature you’d like to see doodlewashed in the comments!
About the Doodlewash
M. Graham watercolors: Azo Yellow, Permanent Green Pale, Quinacridone Gold, Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Neutral Tint and Titanium White Gouache. Sennelier L’aqaurelle: Opera Rose. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal
I saw one of them when I was visiting the Amazon jungle. They are incredibly transparent and this is such a clever drawing.
~ Dajena 🙂
Thanks Dajena! 😃 How cool to have visited the Amazon…I bet that was amazing! Glad you liked my frog doodlewash!
😀 Yes it was! I am looking forward to drawing better..
We have a new book in the Library at my school called Weird Frogs and there’s a photo of this frog in there. I had never heard of them before never mind seen a photo and then a painting in the same month. Very good likeness.
Lol..it must be a weird sign of some kind to suddenly be surrounded by glass frogs!! No idea what it would mean though…hehe… Thanks so much!! 😃💕
I like info like that about different creature on our planet, thanks for sharing
Thanks! I’m so pleased you enjoyed this!! 😃
Well, here’s a creature with nothing to hide! What an amazing creature-and green bones. I wonder what gives it the green hue.. More to investigate! Thanks, Charlie! ❤️😜
Thanks Kari!! 😃💕 hehe…this one was so weird there was much more to investigate but I never have the time. Kind of brings new meaning to the term exhibitionist though! Lol
Great job Charlie O! He looks like he is saying, “Hey – what are you looking at? Back off! It’s kinda personal stuff!” 🙂
Thanks Jodi!!😃💕Haha! He does…but if you’re going to put it all out there like that, you have to expect this sort of attention!
Lol!
He looks a little stoned to me lol but still so darned CUTE!!! Charlie, you are the King of Cute! <3
Awww thanks Laura!! 😃💜haha…He may be stoned! I honestly don’t know! My research was brief so I didn’t get to the part about his recreational habits. Lol
Well he is clearly the king of kooky! How fascinatingly weird and unsettling… imagine if we had skin like tha.. oh no that’s even more unpleasant. That translucency is expertly pulled off here! Marvellous job.
Thanks Jacob! Yeah…it’s just odd on a frog, but on a human it would be creepy as hell! Lol But then again it would be much easier to diagnose health problems and probably promote healthier eating habits when you could actually see what’s happening to you. Lol
Beautiful transparency, that must have been a bit tricky to paint. Just splendid Charlie!
Thanks Sharon!! 😃💕 It was super tricky…I just liked the colors and didn’t realize how tough he’d be. 😊 Glad you like it!!
Ohh boy you got that translucent effect 👍🏼 really an amazing creature! 🐸
Thanks so much Snehal!! 😃💕This little strange frog was challenging! Hehe…glad you liked him!
I was curious about the size of this frog. Here’s what I found. Size of glass frogs depends on the species. Smaller species are usually 0.78 inches long. Larger species can reach 3 inches in length. Thanks for sharing this tiny creature’s story, Charlie. Well done.
Thanks!! 😃😃And thank you so much for added the size info! I always had to pick and choose for these short posts. .78 inches is sooooo tiny…I bet those kind are pretty cute!
I agree.
Isn’t nature grand?! You can’t even make this stuff up. Amazing!
Nature is amazing!! I really could imagine some of the crazy creatures out there. So fun to explore them!!
I wonder if the the glass is half full or empty with this frog?! Lol! 💙🐸 Just my weird sense of humor … Awesome doodlewash Charlie!!! 🎨💖🌈👍🐸
Don’t you mean is the frog half full or half empty? 😉haha…a brand new expression to use in our daily conversations. Love it!! Thanks Jill!! 😃💕💕
So this is a bit like that transparent fish, the X-Ray Tetra, or whatever it was called? Fascinating!
Thanks! 😃It does a bit! Probably because I do the same thing to make it transparent. Which is flail around with paint until it sort of looks right…hehe…I really have no idea how to paint transparency properly. 😊hehe
Well it worked 🙂
Thanks!! 😃
Wow! Awesom frog! And love how you recreated the translucency of this amazing frog in your doodlewash.
Awww thanks!! It’s always fun and then scary challenging to try translucency. Glad you liked how it turned out!! 😃😃
amazing details! Really love this one!
Awww thanks!! I’m so glad you liked this little invisible frog! Hehe 😃
So so cute, and great colour use to get his transparency …plus I think pink and green are a lovely combo, especially when used in the shades you have used here. One of my fav colour duos
Thanks Rebecca! 😃💕 I agree! I really did that color combo and never get much of a chance to use it. So I just had to doodlewash this guy! Hehe
If only Cinderella had had to kiss a frog – this would surely be the one! Love the translucence you’ve achieved here. 🙂
Awww thanks Rebecca!! 😃💕 Glad you liked this! But then that leaves one question… does her resulting prince still have a see-through stomach? 😳lol Yikes!!
What an interesting creature andawesome doodlewash! I really love your march series Charlie!
Awww thanks Kathrin!! 😃 💕I’m really enjoying the discovery in this month’s adventure. Though some of these creatures are super challenging!! 😊hehe
Fabulous frog! We used to get invaded by tiny frogs and newts every summer but I have seen them for a few years. When I was at school, a friend and I liberated from the biology laboratory a pair of frogs we named Bonny and Clyde.
Thanks Kim! 😃💕 And I can’t imagine an invasion…that would freak me out, but one or two is okay. Hehe… but that story is amazing!! Haha! Perfect names for two frogs on the run! Love it!
Green bones! I like that. No need for the “visible frog” model with this one…and absolutely you are the King of Cute. (K)
Haha…no need at all! And don’t even have to dissect the poor guy for study, just look! Thanks Kerfe! 😃💕 I’m determined to find the cute in all these weird creatures. Hehe
And you are succeeding!
Such a beauty! I am thoroughly enjoying this series and am discovering so many creatures I have never heard of. I love his coloring, especially those feet/toes and eyes. 👀
Awww thanks Carol! 😃💕I’m so happy you like this series! These creatures are pretty fun to find and doodlewash. I hadn’t even heard of a transparent frog before! hehe
Cool 🙂
Thanks so much Susan! 😃💕
Scandalous, Charlie, frogs showing off innards like that! These new animals are fun!
It’s a shocking scandal… perhaps it will increase my traffic! Lol
Love this little delicate creature Charlie and all frogs in general! Such beautiful watercolor creations!
Awww thanks so much Kathy!! 😃I’m glad you enjoyed this one. Some weird creatures in my series this month. I hadn’t even heard of these frogs before! 😊hehe
Love this guy and his little suckers!
JP
Hehe…glad you like him! 😉😃
Once again, your write-up is awesome, topped by this gem: “a scandalous view of its liver, heart and intestines”! 😀 You did this handsome fellow justice! I love him! <3
hehe… thanks so much Teresa!😃💕 I’m glad you liked the write-up along with the doodlewash. I write these so fast I never know what will come out! 😊
You have a way and a gift with word, Charlie!
aww thanks my friend! 😊
Wow this is such a cool frog and rendering Charlie. We have frogs all over the place in the summer and they are really joyful little critters! Yours is brilliant and see-through!
Thanks Cathe! 😃I love frogs… and had never seen an invisible one before so it was a really fun challenge to doodlewash!
Awesome painting. I’m very much enjoying my journey through your strange animal adventures in painting!
hehe! Glad you’re enjoying the journey! This was a fun month!! 😃💕