‘Fanged’ creature with ‘robust’ limbs found in Thailand. It’s a new species
As a humid night cloaked a mountain forest of northern Thailand, a “fanged” creature moved through a pool of water with its “robust” limbs. Its patterned eyes scanned the surrounding plants, but it wasn’t the only one looking around.
Visiting scientists noticed the “stocky” animal — and discovered a new species.
A team of researchers hiked into the Phu Phan Mountains in 2023 and 2024 as part of a project to survey amphibians, according to a study published Oct. 14 in the peer-reviewed journal Tropical Natural History.
During the evening and nighttime searches, researchers encountered several slightly unfamiliar-looking frogs, the study said. Intrigued, they examined the animals, analyzed their DNA and soon realized they’d discovered a new species: Limnonectes sirindhornae, or Sirindhorn’s fanged frog.
Sirindhorn’s fanged frogs have “moderately stocky” bodies reaching just under 2 inches in length, the study said. Their “broad” heads have “fang-like” projections “on the lower jaw” and “bronze” eyes with black “bars forming (the) shape of a single plus sign.” Their limbs are “robust,” and their fingers and toes are “slender.”
A photo shows the brown coloring and “irregular dark spots” of the new species. The frogs vary in pattern and in hue, ranging from “dark brown” to “yellowish-brown,” researchers said.
Sirindhorn’s fanged frogs were found in a “dry evergreen forest” at an elevation of about 1,000 feet, the study said. The frogs were mostly found in a “small pool” of a stream, “on and under rocks and boulders, in rock crevices” and in the leaves. A few frogs were “in rock shelters (or a sandstone cave).”
Much about the new species lifestyle and behavior remains unknown. Researchers said that “investigating the natural history and ecological aspects of this new species are necessary for its effective conservation.”
Researchers said they named the new species after Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand because of “her significant contributions to the conservation of Thailand’s biodiversity and environment.”
So far, Sirindhorn’s fanged frogs have only been found at one site in the Phu Phan Mountains of northeastern Thailand, a roughly 400-mile drive northeast from Bangkok.
“This finding underscores the need for additional field surveys across the Phu Phan Range,” researchers said.
The new species was identified by its head shape, body proportions, coloring, finger and toe shape, mouth shape and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had at least about 4% genetic divergence from related species.
The research team included Attapol Rujirawan, Siriporn Yodthong, Pratyaporn Wanchai, Bryan Stuart and Anchalee Aowphol.
This story was originally published October 23, 2025 at 1:55 PM with the headline "‘Fanged’ creature with ‘robust’ limbs found in Thailand. It’s a new species."
