Chernobyl Tree Frogs Developed Darker Skin Near Radiation Sites

Hindustan Times · science

Eastern tree frogs living in areas most affected by the 1986 Chernobyl disaster have developed darker skin. Researchers suggest this adaptation may be linked to melanin, a pigment that could offer protection against radiation damage. A 2022 study indicated that frogs from contaminated zones had significantly darker skin compared to those from unaffected areas. This observation highlights how environmental pressures can influence wildlife characteristics over generations, although direct causation by radiation is still under investigation.