13 Intriguing New Species Discovered In 2013

Published February 7, 2014
Updated February 12, 2018

Not to be outdone by those higher on the food chain, some amphibians also jumped through the hoops to become officially identified new species. A couple of frogs passed muster and captured some public attention due to their exotic beauty. The cocoa frog, named for its skin’s delicious color, was also identified during the international expedition in Suriname.

New Species Helens Frog

Source: Science News

Meanwhile, Australian biologist Jodi Rowley found Helen’s Tree Frog sitting on a log in the Nui Ong Nature Reserve in Vietnam. The colorful, neon-green frog’s habitat is less than 60 miles from Ho Chi Minh City. Officially cataloged as Rhacophorus helenae, the flying frog was named after Rowley’s mother, Helen.

New Species Badger Bat

Source: Mary Bates

The Badger Bat in South Sudan, first reported in 1939, has been known to humankind for nearly 75 years. But based on sightings in 2013, the black-striped bat was reclassified into an entirely different genus. The discovery caused DeeAnn Reeder of BuckNell University to deem it the “find of a lifetime.” The new genus was named “Niumbaha,” meaning “rare” in the local Zande language.

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All That's Interesting
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Established in 2010, All That's Interesting brings together a dedicated staff of digital publishing veterans and subject-level experts in history, true crime, and science. From the lesser-known byways of human history to the uncharted corners of the world, we seek out stories that bring our past, present, and future to life. Privately-owned since its founding, All That's Interesting maintains a commitment to unbiased reporting while taking great care in fact-checking and research to ensure that we meet the highest standards of accuracy.
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Savannah Cox
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Savannah Cox holds a Master's in International Affairs from The New School as well as a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and now serves as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sheffield. Her work as a writer has also appeared on DNAinfo.