Dyeing Poison Dart Frog

Scientific name: Dendrobates tinctorius

Like most poison dart frogs this frog is highly toxic if ingested, due to the alkaloid toxins on their skin that they use for self-defence. Their toxicity comes from the ants they eat, so frogs bred and kept in captivity are not toxic due to their captive diet.

They show some of the greatest variation in colours and patterns of all poison dart frogs. They usually have a black body, with yellow or white stripes, with occasional bright blue legs or patterns. Only males will sing and call, to attract a mate and defend territory. Males are usually smaller and skinnier than females, with a curved back, whereas females have an arched back.

Unusually for amphibians, poison dart frogs are good parents. The male will guard the eggs and then transport the tadpoles on his back to another pocket of water where they will grow for about one year before they are fully mature and spend their adult lives on land.

Adopt an animal Animal Encounters

You might also like...