Flashlight Frog

by Cole Herrold

New animal species are discovered daily, and with each new discovery, there are more exciting and bizarre features and elements in each species. While we accept the notion that there are still undiscovered species, many scientists dismiss or mock the existence of cryptids. To them, Bigfoot, Yeti, Nessie, and the rest of their hidden cousins are mere fables, and that for something the size these creatures are supposed to be to remain elusive is something that is an impossibility. Yet while the more prominent superstars like Bigfoot and Nessie are the main points of interest for cryptozoologists, there are other species that a Zoologist, Biologist or Ecologist would be hard-pressed to officially declare impossible. These "lesser" cryptids do not get the love they so rightfully deserve compared to the more exotic species, yet they are more than likely the most possible of the bunch. In the halls of "lesser" cryptids, one shines out to me both figuratively and literally, and that anomalous amphibian is the Cameroonian Flashlight Frog.

The history of the Flashlight Frog was brought to the world’s attention by none other than infamous Cryptozoologist Karl P.N. Shuker in his book Mysteries of Planet Earth. The interesting thing, however, about the Flashlight Frog is that while Shuker wrote a section in his book and later a highly updated article due to the Flashlight Frog's lackluster appearance, it has gone unnoticed in recorded history that is until Shuker was given information on the fabulous frog from the only to date recorded eyewitness of the species who was none other than infamous Fortean researcher Jonathan Downes. For those unfamiliar with Jonathan Downes, he is the director of the Center for Fortean Zoology and has written countless classic books on a variety of bizarre phenomena, but his masterpiece has to be his book on the winged weirdo the Owlman in his book the Owlman and Others. It seems fitting that someone with such an interest would encounter and notice something anomalous.

It was on a June day in 1997 during an outing in Devon, England, in an animal fair at the Newton Abbot that Jonathan Downes, while looking at the various specimens on display at a particular booth, noticed in one of the multitudes of cages what seemed to be a variety of tree-frogs he was unfamiliar with. The frogs were a vibrant green in color and bore a bright yellow color tongue. The frogs were about 2 inches long and had startling pale eyes. Downes asked the seller where and what these species were, and it was in this conversation that the relatively short amount of information of this species was given. The seller explained that these species were found in the Northern part of Cameroon and that each frog was 25 pounds in price. Downes continued to watch the frogs in the cage, trying to figure out the identity of the species, and as he observed the morphology, noticed a peculiar feature he would later describe as a blue spot on its snout. The vendor, as he saw that Downes was intrigued by this feature, would say that the blue spot on their snouts glowed in the dark, which was assumed to be used to attract insects for food.

Downes stared at the frogs and thought over the man's offer in his head, ultimately coming to the conclusion that 25 pounds were too much for him to spend on one of these frogs. This would prove to be a missed opportunity. Later on, Downes had met with some herpetologist friends and proceeded to discuss the animal fair. He, at that moment, had decided to see if they could illuminate what kind of species the bizarre blue snouted frog was. As he described the frogs in elaborate detail, his colleagues proceeded to scratch their heads and said that what he was describing was a species that was not officially known. Downes was hit with a sense of unbelief, for he was witness to an as of yet unknown species and proceeded to pass up the opportunity of gathering a specimen.

While this is the only official account of the Flashlight Frog, there is the possibility that, much like the Coelacanth that the population of Cameroon that this species supposedly resides in might be very much aware of its existence. The seller of the frog, while information on this entire transaction is limited, seems to be generally familiar with the species, and if he knew this was an as of yet undiscovered species, I'm positive the price would have been much more expensive than 25 pounds. So, there are possibly countless more tales of this frog that, because of the lack of interest or simply the lack of questions around it when researchers are in the area that this species still remains unknown.

Flashlight Frog was featured as a reoccurring cryptid in the show Secret Saturdays

Now while this species may seem more mundane than other cryptids, especially those from the region that it’s supposed to be from, there is an important feature of this creature; however, that does make it an important piece of Cryptozoology that does undoubtedly require further investigation. The feature, of course, being the creature's reported bump or horn at the edge of its nose and the alleged ability it is said to have. The glowing horn may seem like something interesting but mundane, especially since many organisms in nature have the ability to glow, such as fireflies, bacteria, anglerfish, as well as many other unique species. Bioluminescence is something that, as stated, is seen in a variety of organisms; however, when it comes to amphibians, there is not a single known species that has those capabilities. If this is accurate that this species of as of yet unknown tree-frog does have this capability, then it would be a fantastic find for science and could lead to a variety of new discoveries.

Now it does need to be stated that very recently, there was a discovery that amphibians were fluorescent. While this is different from bioluminescence which is something more deliberately used by the organisms intentionally than fluorescence which is a light that is released when a species absorbs other alternative rays of light, such as when a UV light goes and is absorbed by a scorpion, it will appear an ominous blue. This fluorescence has been observed not also with scorpions but also in the platypus, parrots, butterflies, and of course, amphibians. The fluorescence in frogs, salamanders, toads reveal vibrant and unique colors that have been believed to be used for communication and possibly sexual display. However, this is not nearly as intentional as bioluminescence seen in such organisms as the angler fish and assumedly what the flashlight frog utilizes.

Fluorescence seen in the Polka-Dot Tree Frog

Of all the cryptids I've read about, this species is probably the most if not one of the most plausible to exist, and chances are actually does. With this case, it is something that genuinely seems to be unremarkable to the point that even suggesting a hoax is laughable, misidentification is, of course, possible, but the fact that Downes had the foresight to describe this frog to herpetologists to verify a species and they were left with not knowing the species lends more credence to this being an unknown species. While this species is certainly not discovered yet, there is always the chance that some wayward zoologist or biologist who will stop in the area and happen to much like Downes notice a peculiar amphibian in the dense rainforests that engulf the area. In doing so, a new addition to the Zoology books would be added and also in doing so, giving Cryptozoology another feather in its hat of pre-verifying a species that actually exists.

Quick Facts:

Species/Potential Species: Amphibian/ Frog/ Tree Frog
Location: Sighted in Devon, England but native to Northern Cameroon
Sighted: June 1997 Confirmed, possibly countless sightings
 
Works Cited:

Mysteries of Planet Earth: An Encyclopedia of the Inexplicable By Karl P.N. Shuker
Benedict, Adam “Cryptid Profile: Flashlight Frog” Pine Barrens Institute. August 18, 2018. https://pinebarrensinstitute.com/cryptids/2018/8/18/cryptid-profile-flashlight-frog. Accessed March 29, 2021.
Shuker, Karl P.N. “Glowing Mudskippers and Flashlight Frogs- Two Bioluminescent Mystery Beasts?” Shukernature. June 15, 2014.  http://karlshuker.blogspot.com/2014/06/glowing-mudskippers-and-flashlight.html. Accessed March 29, 2021.
Simon, Matt “So, Amphibians Glow. Humans Just Couldn't See It—Until Now” Wired. February 27, 2020. https://www.wired.com/story/amphibians-glow/. Accessed March 29, 2021.
“Flashlight Frog” Cryptid Wiki. https://cryptidz.fandom.com/wiki/Flashlight_Frog#:~:text=The%20Flashlight%20Frog%20is%20a,Toads%20to%20Snakes%20with%20Wings. Accessed March 29, 2021.