Colorful Creatures Series: Purple

     The Purple Frog…

This is the weirdest looking frog I have ever seen, what do you think? 

Discovered in the mountains of southern India, scientists say it’s lineage goes back as far as the dinosaurs.  This creature has a small head, very tiny eyes, a bloated looking body, and it’s PURPLE!  It’s scientific name is Nasikabatrachus,nasika: meaning nose, batrachus: meaning frog, and Sahyadri is the name of it’s mountain home.

     This black and purple retro looking frog was discovered in the South American highlands of Suriname, in 2006.  It is an atelopus frog: A large genus of true toads, most associated with mid-height elevation streams.

Clara W. Masessa

     Theses curious looking creatures were found on the Appalachian trail at the top of Peter’s mountain near Pearishburg, Va.  After reviewing the photographs, the best determination was that they were Hypogastrura.

 Purple Climber Crab: Metopograpsus

     Off the coast of Singapore, these crabs can be seen climbing along the rocky shoreline.  They prefer to come out and gather their food at night, they eat mainly algae, but will also feed on the leftovers from another creatures dinner.  Small, at about 4cm wide, it has a squarish shape, purple coloring and white polka dots.

 John Berger

     Purple starfish gather along the rocks of the coast of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  Seemingly ordinary starfish in every way except the color, this vibrant purple stands out against the greenish brown rocks. These starfish have been found in almost every color of the rainbow.

     Once you start exploring you will find that this is a wondrous and colorful world we live in. There are amazing and beautiful things just waiting for you to find them.