Chinese scientists discovered a giant, 14 cm long larva of the Mud Toad family, during a cave expedition.
According to China News, Chinese scientists on March 14 discovered a giant tadpole larva, 14 cm long, in a cave on the outskirts of Zunyi city, Guizhou province, northern China.
Experts said that this is the larva of Oreolalaz rhodostigmatus, an amphibian of the Mud Toad family. This species is only found in China, usually living in tropical or subtropical humid mountains, freshwater streams and caves, and is a rare animal, listed in the Chinese Red Book.
When still in larval form, this species is also called tilapia fish or transparent fish.
According to Ifeng, normally, the length of tadpoles is 10-12 cm, it is rare to see tadpoles up to 14 cm long.
To complete the growth process, switching from tadpoles to toads, this species needs 1-2 years.
They often live in low-light environments, so they have transparent skin and internal organs are clearly visible.
If this species is raised in a bright environment, it will change color, gradually turning purple, making its internal organs no longer clearly visible. Pictured is an adult Mud Toad.
