Yes, There Are Really Frogs Named After Star Trek Characters, And The Reasoning Behind It Actually Makes Perfect Sense

Yes, There Are Really Frogs Named After Star Trek Characters, And The Reasoning Behind It Actually Makes Perfect Sense

As a lifelong Star Trek enthusiast who has navigated through countless episodes and movies, this latest development in the animal kingdom is nothing short of extraordinary! It’s as if Captain Kirk himself had beamed down to Madagascar and said, “Behold, I have created new life and new civilizations!


As a die-hard Star Trek fan, I can hardly contain my excitement as we eagerly anticipate new episodes and films. Remarkably, the Star Trek universe isn’t just expanding in space anymore – it’s making its mark on our very own planet! A recent discovery has revealed a new species of frogs, and it seems these amphibians have taken their inspiration from none other than the galaxy-traversing franchise that I adore.

The news comes to us from EurekAlert!, which mentions an international team of researchers who made this discovery in Madagascar. Seven new species of the Boophis frog were discovered, and their croaks sound very similar to classic Star Trek sound effects.

Because of this unique characteristic, all these frog species have been scientifically named in tribute to each principal captain from the live-action “Star Trek” series. This gives us Boophis kirki, Boophis picardi, Boophis siskoi, Boophis janewayae, Boophis archeri, Boophis pikei, and Boophis burnhamae as part of the frog family (as reported by PopSci.com), and there’s more to it than just that. The study’s senior author, Assistant Professor Mark D. Scherz, elaborated on why naming these frogs after the science fiction series is particularly apt:

These frogs emit sounds reminiscent of Star Trek sound effects, and it’s no surprise that locating them often requires substantial hiking trips! While some species can be found in tourist-friendly areas, discovering many of these species necessitated extensive expeditions into secluded forest fragments and towering mountain peaks. This scientific exploration and discovery echoes the spirit of Star Trek adventure.

It’s not likely that an episode of “Star Trek” has ever focused on Madagascar, but it’s clear that exploration and science are key aspects of the series. I’m hoping there might be a chance for Starfleet Academy to incorporate these frogs into their curriculum someday. Maybe one of the veteran characters could reappear, like the EMH, to explain why these frogs were found and named after various Captains?

8 WTF Moments In Star Trek: The Next Generation That Keep Me Up At Night

Yes, There Are Really Frogs Named After Star Trek Characters, And The Reasoning Behind It Actually Makes Perfect Sense

TNG had a lot of WTF moments.

After the bizarre transformation incident involving an amphibian species in the “Star Trek: Voyager” episode “Threshold,” where Captain Janeway and Tom Paris metamorphosed into Salamanders and had offspring, it would be best if future stories about these ‘frogs’ steer clear of repeating that event.

Star Trek is yet to air the last season of Lower Decks in 2024, wrapping up its lineup for that year, and there are even more fresh series coming up. It’s intriguing to anticipate where this franchise will head next. Personally, I’d prefer more new shows over discovering new frog species for my own benefit, but I’ll gratefully accept whatever’s provided.

Ensure your Paramount+ account is current for the two-episode debut of Star Trek: Lower Decks on Thursday, October 24th. In the meantime, don’t forget to explore our upcoming TV lineup for 2024, as we have a number of thrilling dramas and additional content planned for the fall season.

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2024-10-15 22:08