Liberty Science Center

Poison Dart Frog

Common Name: Poison Dart Frog

Scientific Name: Dendrobates

Range: Central and South American rainforests.

Habitat: Tropical rainforests, ranging from leaf litter on the forest floor to the canopy.

Size: Up to 2 inches long.

Diet: Ants, small beetles, termites and other tiny invertebrates.

Interesting Facts:

Most animals try to use their skin to blend in. But the bright coloration of poison dart frogs serves as a warning to potential predators that they are toxic to eat.

Like cars, poison dart frogs come in a number of bright colors, including red, blue, yellow and green, as well as patterns ranging from spots to stripes.

The poison in the skin of dart frogs is not actually made by the frogs themselves. It comes from their prey -- usually ants and insects that contain alkaloids, which the frogs then store in their skin. Some varieties are able to convert the toxins into a stronger, more deadly version.

In captivity, poison dart frogs lose their toxicity because their diets lack the important components used to manufacture the poisons found in the wild.

Although all poison dart frogs are toxic, only a few that are exceptionally deadly. The most toxic exude poisons strong enough to kill several adult humans and can be lethal just to touch. Except for a few snakes and spiders, most predators are unable to eat these poisonous frogs.

Poison dart frogs get their name from the fact that some indigenous people of Central and South America use their skin toxins to coat the tips of hunting darts. However, only three species from this large family of frogs are toxic enough to be used for that purpose.