Poison dart frog is an exotic species found in Costa Rica. This amphibian is called a dart frog because the indigenous people extracted deadly poison from it for the tips of their arrows. This poison can paralyze a large bird or small monkey immediately.

Poison Dart Frog Appearance

The poison-dart frog is small at about 1.5cm (0.6 inches) and can get up to 6cm (2.4 inches) in length. It weights about 2g (0.07oz). The poison-dart frog is brightly colored and has aposematic patterns which is a warning to predators not to eat it. Its poison would be of no value if it was eaten by its predators before the poison killed the predator.

The poison-dart frog is diurnal and lives in the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica. It moves across the forest floor boldly and with confidence. Some live on or close to the ground while others live up trees at heights of 10m (33 ft).

This frog can secrete toxins through its skin and synthesize poison from chemicals from prey such as ants and mites. Not only can some species paralyze relatively large animals, the tadpoles of some species' eggs are toxic and unpalatable.

Poison Dart Frog Food

The poison-dart frog eats small terrestrial invertebrates such as insects (ants, spiders, flies, termites, and beetles).

Spiders find the poison-dart frogs attractive and try to kill the frog. However, the spider finds out too late that the poison released by the frog's skin glands located on the back and around the ears will kill it. The spider dies and is a meal for the frog.

Poison-dart frogs lay eggs in moist places, such as leaves, plants and exposed roots. Shortly after the tadpole hatches, it wiggles its way onto the mother's back and sticks because of the mucus. Tadpoles feed on invertebrates in pools of water that accumulate on epiphytic plants such as bromeliads. The female supplements the diet by depositing eggs in the water.

To view poinson-dart frogs in capitivity, visit the Tropical Frog Farm near the Rainforest Aerial Tram.