This phenomenon is very common, but science has only now realized how common it is. However, the answer is still not really clear.
Recently, during a field trip in the Kizilirmak plain of Türkiye, scientists noticed a strange phenomenon.
It happens right in the photo below.
Look closely, what do you see?
Can you spot something special in the picture? If not, then notice the yellow dots that look like leaves on the back of the buffalo.
Only it’s not leaves, but dozens of tiny frogs hanging on it – a phenomenon that science has never seen before.
At a glance, these are two unrelated creatures. However, after observing, experts from Mickiewicz University (Poland) found that this phenomenon turned out to be more common than they thought.
Usually, a buffalo will have about 2 – 5 frogs on it. More specifically, there was a case of “raising” up to 27 frogs.
And according to ecologist Piotr Zduniak, who led the study, this phenomenon seems to have a biologically important purpose.
“Our observations show that frogs and buffaloes have a biological relationship,” Zduniak said.
“Frogs on buffalo’s back may be similar to the phenomenon of birds perching on large mammals.”
The exact reason behind this phenomenon is still unknown. However, Zduniak thinks this is a symbiotic relationship.
Frogs eat insects, and buffalo’s body is where many insects hide.
Basically, frogs eat insects, and buffalo’s body is where many insects hide. Choosing to cling to the buffalo’s back, the frog has an abundant food source, while the buffalo does not worry about the nasty insects lurking on the body.
Scientists also put forward a number of other theories, such as frogs using buffalo to warm themselves.
“Frogs can use buffalo as an efficient heat source. This is a very important factor for amphibians, especially when the ambient temperature is low.”
However, some experts also doubt this relationship. According to Judith Bronstein, an ecologist at the University of Arizona, he doesn’t believe the phenomenon is symbiotic.
“Symbiosis is usually when one species cleans up parasites for the other – as some small fish often follow the tails of large fish. But if I had to bet, I’d choose it’s not a symbiosis.”
The study was published in the journal Acta Herpetologica.