SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL DEALS

Harvard University biologists say the frogs, when threatened, can puncture their own skin with sharp bones in their toes, using the bones as claws capable of wounding predators.

"It's surprising enough to find a frog with claws", said doctoral student David Blackburn. "The fact that those claws work by cutting through the skin of the frogs' feet is even more astonishing."

Blackburn said he became aware of the clawed frogs while conducting fieldwork in Cameroon. When he picked up one of the fist-sized frogs, it flailed its hind legs violently, scratching him and drawing blood.

He subsequently examined museum specimens of 63 African frog species and found 11 in which the bones at the ends of the toes were pointed and hooked, with smaller, free-floating bones at their tips.

The research conducted by Blackburn, James Hanken and Farish Jenkins Jr. is to appear in a forthcoming issue of the journal Biology Letters.

 BREAKING STORIES

GOP the party of change, Romney says

Stunning regenerative medicine study cited

Spitzer Space Telescope is 5 years old

Boston Herald Tony Massarotti Column: Nation Prays for Carl Yastrzemski

Mayor targeted for recall after scandal

Wheelchair lift stolen in mid-day

Massachusetts governor among DNC speakers

MicroRNA activation mystery is solved

John, Elizabeth Edwards speech still on

Verizon, IBEW negotiate Mass. contract

UBS settles Mass. probe for $4.4 million

Report: Company hired connected lawyer

Kerry demands Web site make correction

Obesity linked to brain's reward system

Soft, juice drinks daily ups diabetes risk

Study: Cell more controlling than thought

Chesney joins Farm Aid lineup

Man against Census skipping same-sex pairs

Kennedy finishes tumor treatment phase

Foreclosure led to suicide, police say