Description: Poison Dart Frogs are a family of frogs native to Central and South America. Most have bright colors to warn potential predators of their toxicity This kind of adaptation is called aposematic coloration. Different species come in different colors, with some being dazzling blue, yellow, red, black, orange, or a combination of such colors. There are over 175 documented species of these frogs, ranging up to six centimeters in length. The secretions of these frogs have been used by indigenous peoples to poison the tips of their arrows.
Diet: Poison Dart Frogs eat insects such as ants, beetles, mites, crickets, fruit fries and small invertebrates.
Habitat/Range: Poison Dart Frogs inhabit humid, forested regions of Central and South America. They normally live close to the ground, but will sometimes venture up to 20 feet high in the foliage.
Toxins: Poison Dart Frogs secrete toxins through their skin. The toxins are not manufacture by the frog, but rather, accumulate in the body from their prey such as ants and mites. For this reason, captive-bred Poison Dart Frogs are rarely poisonous. Toxicity varies from species to species, though the Golden Poison Dart Frog is said to contain enough toxins to kill ten fully-grown men. Currently, scientists are studying Poison Dart Frogs to see if they toxins can be synthesized to produce medicines.
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