Marañón Poison Dart Frog
Scientific name: Excidobates mysteriosus
Poison dart frogs are known for their bright colours. These colours are not just to show off but they warn potential predators that the frogs are toxic, which enables them to be active during the day without predation. Adult Marañón frogs are black or brown with white dots covering their body.
Unlike venomous snakes, poison dart frogs don’t inject their toxins. Their toxin is secreted through pores in the skin and only needs to be touched to have an effect. These toxins are for self defence to prevent other animals eating them.
They will lay 5-8 eggs in Bromeliad plants which catch rainwater to create little pools where the tadpoles develop. The female will continue to lay several unfertilized eggs per day in the pools which serve as food for the growing tadpoles. These frogs can live for 6-10 years.
-
We live...
In the Viva South America enclosure.
-
Size Fact
Marañón poison dart frogs are generally around 2.5cm in size.
-
Food Fact
Poison dart frogs have a long sticky tongue that darts in and out and allows them to catch a variety of small insects including flies, beetles, ants and termites.
-
Fun Fact
The brighter, more colourful the poison dart frog is, the more toxic they are.
You might also like...
-
![Meerkats]()
Meerkat Keeper Talk
Come along and learn about our mob of Meerkats from our experienced animal keepers.
Find out more
-
![Zoe And Falcon (2)]()
Bird of Prey Flying Display
Watch our majestic birds of prey in our new Wings of Wonder flying display.
Find out more
-
![Andean Bear]()
Bear Keeper Talk
Learn about our Spectacled bears from our experts and find out what it is like to be a Spectacled bear keeper.
Find out more
-
![African Elephant - Shaka 2]()
Elephant Keeper Talk
Did you know Elephants are the largest land animals on Earth? Come and join our Elephant Keepers and learn about our bulls.
Find out more
