Intricacies: Part Five

Dryophytes versicolor

I often sit quietly, watching as it moves about the enclosure in the evenings. I have witnessed leaps from the water bowl onto the tallest pothos leaf and I’ve seen the engulfment of wax worms and meal worms and moths and flies. I have watched as it nestles down into the protection of the water bowl when my face approaches too quickly and too closely to the glass. But, never before now, have I witnessed the cannibalistic nature of a frog ingesting the entirety of its skin.

It began with a rhythmic lurching motion starting at the base of the stomach and flowing upwards into the throat. This was repeated over and over and over as the creature released the outer layer of its skin, encouraging it forward toward its head. The long gathering of skin slid along the shoulder and neck as the frog continued in this labored movement. Meanwhile, the corner of its mouth stretched and pulled as the epidermis was sucked inward. He swallowed repeatedly and with great effort. And then, within five minutes, the last of the skin disappeared into the belly of the beast. The grey tree frog sat proudly upon the rotting log, momentarily, before diving into the depths of the water bowl and disappearing into the shadows. 

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