20 Interesting Facts About Poison Dart Frogs

1. Poison dart frogs, or poison arrow frogs, are famous for their poisonous and brightly colored skin. They can display various colors like red, yellow, orange, green, and blue.
2. The bright skin color of poison dart frogs is generally considered a warning for predators. But on occasions, the same bright color can also act as camouflage on the rainforest floor for some frog species. This feature protects them from predators immune to the poison. (Source)
3. Poison dart frogs had uniform colors about 10,000 years ago. Later, rising seawater in Panama scattered these frogs on different islands. There, they developed different striking colors according to their toxicity level. Now, the more poisonous frogs have more attractive and visible colors than frogs with less poison. These colors assisted them to avoid predators, particularly birds, and attract mates. (Source)
4. A snake species, commonly known as the fire-bellied snake, is the only natural predator of poison dart frogs. A substance in its saliva detoxifies the poisons of these frogs.
5. These poisonous frogs are limited to the western hemisphere. They are endemic to the tropical rainforests of central and South America.
6. Poison dart frogs don’t sting or bite, but even touching these animals can be deadly. Touching frogs with mild toxins can cause numbness, while their taste is also bitter to predators. They produce toxins using two methods. Most poison frogs get their toxins from food and may turn mild toxins from food into potent ones. Other frogs produce toxins directly in their bodies. These amphibians are immune to their poison. (Source)
7. The golden poison frog, the most toxic species of poison dart frog, is also the most poisonous frog. The length of these frogs is only 4 to 6 cm. However, poison in a single golden poison-dart frog is enough to kill ten adult humans or 20,000 mice. They are endemic to the rainforests of western Colombia. A cage equal to a 20-gallon aquarium is required for keeping only a single frog as a pet. (Source)

   

   Golden poison frog is the most toxic frog

   
   
8. Poison dart frogs are carnivorous and eat ants, termites, beetles, and other insects. Their toxicity is primarily due to the consumption of insects that eat poisonous plants.
9. There are more than 175 species of poison dart frogs. The toxicity level of various species is different. The indigenous people in Central and South America have long used poison from four deadliest species to make their arrows poisonous.
10. Various species of poison dart frogs contain more than 500 different toxins, while scientists know the biological activity of about 60 of them. According to estimates, these toxins can prove beneficial for human health. (Source)
11. Most amphibians are nocturnal (active at night) to avoid their diurnal predators. However, poison dart frogs are diurnal due to their poisonous skin that hinders potential predators.
12. Poison dart frogs in captivity are without poison, thanks to the consumption of non-toxic food. Even wild frogs lose their toxicity after spending some time in captivity.
13. The mother of strawberry poison frogs feeds tadpoles with her unfertilized eggs. They provide nutrition and poison to tadpoles. Poison in these frogs affect heart and muscle contraction, resulting in their hyperactivity and paralysis. (Source)
14. Though most species of poison dart frogs are toxic, many are not dangerous to humans. They contain less potent or low amount of poison that can’t kill humans. Poison in these frogs only cause mild symptoms, such as numbness, irritation, or sickness. 
15. Poison dart frogs initially appeared around 40 million years ago. Their first destination was the forests of northern South America.
16. The lifespan for poison dart frogs is from 3 to 15 years in the wild. They can live longer in captivity. Some species, such as the tri-colored poison frog, may live up to 20 years in captivity. 
17. Most frogs lay eggs in water. However, poison dart frogs lay their eggs on land, either under a leaf or in a small burrow.
18. After deposition of the eggs, the male fertilizes them. The fertilization process of eggs takes place outside the female body. Unlike most other amphibians, the male protects these eggs until they hatch.
19. After hatching eggs in the leaf litter, a male poison dart frog carries the tadpoles on its back to far-off pools. These pools are usually away from nearly available ponds that help to minimize competition for resources. (Source)
20. The green and black poison dart frog is the only species of poison dart frog successfully introduced in Hawaii. Its native range is Central America and northwestern South America. The frog is reproducing in Hawaii without any conservation. (Source)