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 Green and Black Poison Dart Frog
Lifestyle:
Poison dart frogs are tiny, brilliantly colored creatures of the South American rain forest. They may be bright green, black, yellow, red, green, blue, or any combination of these colors. They are named for the toxin in their skin. In fact, one species contains such strong poison that native people use it to coat their hunting darts and arrows. The poison remains potent for up to a year, and a bird or monkey shot with the poison dart is quickly paralyzed. The frogs also make use of this poison to fend off predators. The bright coloring and bold patterns of these frogs are thought to serve as a visual reminder to would-be attackers – a warning sign that says, “Remember how much it hurt the last time you tried to eat me?”
Range and habitat:
The green and black poison dart frog is native to Central America and northern South America, from Panama to Ecuador, east to the mouth of the Amazon.
Reproduction:
In the rainy season from July to September, males go through an elaborate ritual to attract mates. They fight to establish territories, then attract females with trilling vocalizations. The female lays up to six eggs, encased in a gelatinous protective substance, in a small pool of water. She returns to check on the eggs periodically, and when the tadpoles hatch, they climb onto the female’s back to be carried to a larger body of water. They are attached to her back by a mucus secretion so they don’t fall off. Once they reach a lake or stream, they’re on their own. They’ll develop into adult frogs in six weeks.
Size: Adults are about one to two inches long.
Endangered status: Not currently listed as endangered, but at risk due to destruction of the tropical rain forests.
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