Tiny poison dart frogs may only be one inch (2.5 centimeters) long, but they pack a powerful punch—of poison. Weighing less than an ounce (28 grams), these frogs are considered one of Earth's most toxic, or poisonous, species. For example, the golden poison dart frog has enough poison to kill 20,000 mice.
With a range of bright colors—yellows, oranges, reds, greens, blues—they aren't just big show-offs, either. Those colorful designs tell potential predators, "I'm toxic. Don't eat me."
Scientists think that poison dart frogs get their toxicity from some of the insects they eat. The insects feed on plants that have toxins, which then pass to the frogs when they eat the insects. Poison dart
frogs raised in captivity aren't toxic because the insects they are fed haven't eaten poisonous plants.
frogs raised in captivity aren't toxic because the insects they are fed haven't eaten poisonous plants.
How do poison dart frogs capture their prey? Slurp! With a long, sticky tongue that darts out and zaps the unsuspecting bug! The frogs eat many kinds of small insects, including fruit flies, ants, termites, young crickets, and tiny beetles, which are the ones scientists think may be responsible for the frogs' toxicity.
Poison dart frogs live in the rain forests of Central and South America. These frogs thrive in 80° Fahrenheit (27° Celsius) temperatures in areas with plenty of light. They also need plenty of plants that provide shade from the direct sun. These frogs are active during the day; for protection, they rely on the "Keep away!" warning that their bright colors scream.
Poison dart frogs breed during the rainy season. What does the male do to attract a female? He calls from a leaf, making buzzing or trilling sounds. He guards his territory against other males. After he's attracted a mate and she lays her eggs (and then leaves), the male sticks around to make sure the eggs stay moist until they hatch.
Once the little ones hatch—as tiny tadpoles—they wiggle onto the male's back. He carries them to a pool of water, where the tadpoles wiggle off and into the water. There the tadpoles complete their metamorphosis, or change, into fully formed frogs.
FAST FACTS
Poison dart frogs are members of the Dendrobatidae family.
Like all frogs, poison dart frogs are amphibians, a group of animals that includes toads and salamanders.
Poison dart frogs eat insects, including flies, crickets, ants, termites, and beetles.
Poison dart frogs are members of the Dendrobatidae family.
Like all frogs, poison dart frogs are amphibians, a group of animals that includes toads and salamanders.
Poison dart frogs eat insects, including flies, crickets, ants, termites, and beetles.
A group of frogs is sometimes called an army.
Tiny discs on the poison dart frog's toes help it cling to vegetation in its habitat.
The golden poison dart frog has only one natural predator: a snake that is not bothered by the frog's poison. The snake's scientific name is Leimadophis epinephelus.
Tiny discs on the poison dart frog's toes help it cling to vegetation in its habitat.
The golden poison dart frog has only one natural predator: a snake that is not bothered by the frog's poison. The snake's scientific name is Leimadophis epinephelus.
Warning coloration in animals like the poison dart frog is called aposematic coloration.
Some of the local people who live in the rain forest, where these frogs are found, put the frogs' toxin on the tips of darts they use to hunt for food. The hunters blow the darts from their blowpipes. The poisoned tips knock out
Some of the local people who live in the rain forest, where these frogs are found, put the frogs' toxin on the tips of darts they use to hunt for food. The hunters blow the darts from their blowpipes. The poisoned tips knock out
In captivity, a poison dart frog can live for about ten years.
Many species of poison dart frogs are endangered. The main threat to the species is habitat destruction. The rain forest—the frogs' habitat—is disappearing as people clear the land for farming and other activities.
Many species of poison dart frogs are endangered. The main threat to the species is habitat destruction. The rain forest—the frogs' habitat—is disappearing as people clear the land for farming and other activities.
The skin of one golden poison dart frog has enough poison to kill 20,000 mice. Even though the frog's toxin is also extremely dangerous to humans, scientists who study it say that it also has potential as a very useful medicine. Researchers discovered properties in the toxin that they think may lead to the creation of a powerful painkiller for human patients.
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