Researchers have discovered what seems to be a new species of frogs with the unique ability to change the texture of its skin. The shape-shifting frog was found in the western Andean forests of Ecuador.

The amphibian is believed to be the first known to have this shape-shifting capability. It was originally discovered by a Case Western Reserve University PhD student and her husband, a project manager at Cleveland Metroparks' natural resources division.

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Experts said the special frog can change the texture of its skin in a matter of minutes to imitate the environment it lives in.

The new species of shape-shifting frog was named Pristimantis mutabilis, which translates into "mutable rainfrog." It resides at the Reserva Las Gralarias, a natural reservation created to protect several species of endangered birds.

Biologists said this is very vital and could impact the way new species are found and identified.

According to them, the process could require photographing the animals and would take longer observations in the field to make sure that one species isn't seen as two because of its ability to change the way it looks.

Katherine and Tim Krynak, and colleagues from Universidad Indoamerica and Tropical Herping (Ecuador), originally spotted the small, spiny frog, nearly the width of a marble, sitting on a moss-covered leaf in July 2009.

The Krynaks had never seen this animal before but Tim had surveyed animals on annual trips to Las Gralarias since 2001, and Katherine since 2005.

They captured the little frog and tucked it into a cup with a lid. They nicknamed it "punk rocker" because of the thorn-like spines covering its body.

"I then put the frog back in the cup and added some moss. The spines came back... we simply couldn't believe our eyes-our frog changed skin texture! I put the frog back on the smooth white background. Its skin became smooth," said Katherine Krynak.

Katherine Krynak explained that this species of amphibian uses its spines and skin coloration to blend into grassy, mossy habitats.

Another frog, called Prismantis sobetes, is a close relative with similar "special powers", but is twice as big.

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