Poison Dart Frog
Tiny, brightly coloured rainforest frogs whose skin toxins come from the bugs they eat.
Poison dart frogs, also called dart-poison frogs or poison frogs, are members of the family Dendrobatidae from tropical Central and South America. They are active by day and many wear vivid colours that warn predators of their toxic skin, a strategy known as aposematism. The brightest, most toxic species tend to specialize on ants, mites and termites, while species with broader diets are drably coloured and carry little or no poison. Most are small, some under 1.5 cm long as adults. Many species are under threat as human development spreads into their forest homes.
Quick Facts
- Family
- Dendrobatidae
- Diet
- Ants
- mites
- termites and other arthropods
- Defense mechanism
- Skin alkaloid toxins with warning coloration
- Species
- About 200 in 16 genera
Facts from the source article.
Background
The name comes from people in South America who coated blowdart tips with frog secretions, though of over 170 species only four, all in the genus Phyllobates, are documented as used this way; curare plants were the more common dart poison. The family now holds 16 genera and about 200 species, and its classification shifts often under ongoing phylogenetic study. Warning coloration appears to have evolved at least four times within the family, probably tied to diet shifts toward alkaloid-rich prey. Some species contain colour morphs as young as 6,000 years that can still interbreed, which has led to single species being mistaken for several.
Did You Know?
- Epibatidine from Epipedobates tricolor is a painkiller 200 times as potent as morphine, but its useful dose is dangerously close to a lethal one.
- The snake Erythrolamprus epinephalus is immune to their poison.
- Adults weigh 28 g on average.
- Frogs introduced to Hawaii are among the few living outside the Americas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are poison dart frogs so colourful?
Their bright colours warn predators that they are toxic and unpleasant to eat.
Are captive poison dart frogs poisonous?
Captive-bred frogs lack significant toxins because their diet lacks the alkaloids wild frogs absorb, though they can regain toxicity if fed an alkaloid-rich diet.
Where do poison dart frogs live?
In humid tropical forests of Central and South America, including Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil and Bolivia.
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