Poison Dart Frog
(Dendrobates; Epibpedobate; Phyllobates species)
This family of frogs makes up a group of about 75 different species and each species is characterized by the different coloring and behavioral patterns. They are very colorful with varying designs. For example, most species of Strawberry Poison Dart Frog has a red body with blue arms and legs. While the Blue Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates Azureus) is brightly blue with a black pattern on its back. The brightly colored skin warns predators to stay away.
They typically live 10 to 15 years. They are small, weighing about 1 ounce and are about 1 to 2 inches in length. Unlike other Amphibians, the Poison Dart Frog is active during the day. The Poison Dart Frog is considered one of the most poisonous species on the earth. Most of the species carry the poison on their skin and the toxicity of the poison varies from species to species. For instance, the deadliest of the species is the Golden Poison Dart Frog (Phyllobates terribilis). It carries enough poison to kill 10 grown men.
They typically live 10 to 15 years. They are small, weighing about 1 ounce and are about 1 to 2 inches in length. Unlike other Amphibians, the Poison Dart Frog is active during the day. The Poison Dart Frog is considered one of the most poisonous species on the earth. Most of the species carry the poison on their skin and the toxicity of the poison varies from species to species. For instance, the deadliest of the species is the Golden Poison Dart Frog (Phyllobates terribilis). It carries enough poison to kill 10 grown men.
Resources
Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/poison-frogs
Rainforest Alliance
https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/species/poison-dart-frog
National Geographic
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/frog_strawberrypoisondart_tadpole
U.S. National Park Service
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Why Endangered?
There are more than 100 species of Poison Dart Frogs.While not all species are endangered, the numbers have been declining. The destruction of rainforest habitat by fires and by humans for farmland has contributed to the decreasing numbers of these frogs in the wild. The illegal pet trade has also affected their existence. The declining numbers can also be attributed to the high demand in the international pet trade. Because they are protected, their value increases and, due to their small size, they are easy to hide in luggage and shipments.
Finally, like many other species of frog and amphibian, these species faces the potentially devastating effects of the chytrid fungus. This fungus is a lethal skin disease affecting all amphibian populations. It is found underwater growing on dead plants and animal matter .It is currently found on almost every continent, but the origin is unknown. Chytrid fungus can be spread from place to place in water or mud; likely on wet or muddy shoes.
Poison Dart Frogs are very attentive parents. The females will lay 30 to 40 eggs in a jelly-like substance on the forest floor. Once the eggs hatch, the tadpoles will climb onto the parent’s back where they stay safe from predators. The parents will then find a suitable pool of water for the tadpole to finish growing. They will often drop a few eggs each day for the tadpoles to eat and finish growing. The tadpoles will typically reach their full size in about 2 to 3 months.
Family Life?
Check out this video of the Strawberry Dart Frog checking on the brood.
Poison Dart Frogs live in the rainforest in Central and South America. They prefer moist areas or puddles and are usually found in trees, as well as, under leaves, logs, and rocks on the floor of the forest.
Where Do They Live?
Mainly, the poison dart frog feeds on insects, ants, fruit flies, tiny beetles, termites, and young crickets. They have excellent eyesight to see their food and use their long, sticky tongue to catch the unsuspecting bug. It is thought by many scientists that the frogs do not actually make their own poison. Instead, it comes from the chemicals found in the frog’s natural food.