Dendrobatidae: Pretty Poison
Dendrodatidae are very tiny frogs from the Central and South Americas. They are commonly know as poison arrow or poison dart frogs because lipophillic alkaloid toxin secretions from the skin of three species of Dendrobatidae are used to make Curare, a poison for blowgun darts.
Dendrobatidae are diurnal and have beautiful colors and patterns which have made them a favorite of hobbyists worldwide. Why would someone want to keep a frog that comes from a family of species that secret a substance that can kill you in seconds? Poison Dart Frog Keepers would have to be some recluse who is collecting the toxins from some dire purpose? Well that is not the truth. The truth is Dart Frog hobbyists are just plain folk who love the beauty of these creatures and understand that most captive bred Dendrobatidae have lost their toxins and wild caught Dendrobatidae lose their toxins after a few months. Beginners should stick to the captive bred frogs. It’s better for your family and the frogs.
Strawberry Dart Frog: Oophaga (Dendrobates) pumilio
Photo by Encarna Sáez Goñalons and Víctor Martínez
Of course you don’t want to eat this strawberry. Even though it is now accepted that these frogs lose their toxicity in captivity, you should never take it for granted that your frog is safe to touch, or eat, even if it does look like a tasty strawberry. These are one of the smallest dart frogs. Dart frogs are very unusual in that they are one of the few frogs who care for their young. After their eggs hatch, they carry their young tadpoles to a plant that holds a pool of water, deposit them and following this the female feeds them regularly with an unfertilized egg.
Photo by Clinton and Charles Robertson
Dyeing Dart Frog: Dendrobates tinctorius
Photo by Olef Leillinger
This species gets its name from an aboriginal practice of applying secretions of toxins from its skin to the skin of young parrots to effect the color of the parrots feathers. Parrot tattoos. Dendrobates tinctorius is one of the largest species of Dendrobatidae at about 2 inches.
Splash-Backed Dart Frog: Dendrobates galactonotus
Photo by Open Cage
This lovely little specimen looks just like a little black frog who accidentally asked the wrong rich guy to “Pass the Grey Poupon”, which for those of you who aren’t rich, is a mustard. In the case of several of these frogs, their “common” names are ones made up by the pet industry, as such in some cases you may find some frogs are identified under different common names.
Green and Black Dart Frog: Dendrobates auratus
Photo by Dirk Van Der Made
It looks like a child designed this little frog, with a green marker, Each frog is unique in his or her color pattern. Dart frogs are very unusual in that they are one of the few frogs who care for their young. After their eggs hatch, they carry their young tadpoles to a plant that holds a pool of water, deposit them and following this the female feeds them with an unfertilized egg.
Granular Dart Frog: Dendrobates granuliferus
Photo by Patrick Gijbers
This little dude looks like a Christmas surprise! All decked out for the holiday season.
Harlequin Dart Frog: Dendrobates histrionicus
Photo by Tracy Hicks
You know how when you try to put cheap mustard on your hot dog, but the plastic container is empty, but you squeeze it and shake and try to get any mustard out, then it suddenly squirts out in a messy splatter pattern? Well that is what this frog looks like.
Bronze Harlequin Dart Frog: Dendrobates silvatica lita
Photo from wikimedia, where the photographer’s name was not provided
This frog looks like a rock flecked with blue paint. I would like to have a wall in my house painted like this, but I suspect my wife would not approve.
At one time Dendrobates silvatica lita were thought to be a subspecies of Dendrobates histrionicus, but with this now considered not the case, they were given a new Latin name.
Blue Dart Frog: Dendrobates azureus
Photo by Radomil Binek
This is the frog most people think of then they think of dart frogs, they are certainly one of the more common species. A lovely azure blue mixed with black creating a wonderful color pattern to delight any keeper or admirer of wild species. This species lives primarily on the ground.
Marañón Dart Frog: Dendrobates mysteriosus
Photo by Frank Wouters
Super cute, and they probably have the coolest Latin name. People might be wondering again about the ownership of pets who potentially excrete poison, but I remind you that frogs are not a pet that you handle on a daily basis, if ever. In a proper set up tank, your only contact will be visual. They need their tank misted daily, but if you have a good tank flooring, plants, and so forth, you will not need to clean your tank.
Bumble Bee Dart Frog: Dendrobates leucomelas
Photo by Adrian Pingstone
Also called the Yellow Banded Dart Frog, this is a very striking looking little creature. There are probably hundreds more species of these frogs yet to be discovered, and sadly there are probably some who have already been made extinct due to habitat loss in the rain forests of their native Central and South American. It might surprise you to know that these frogs have been reported to live over 15 years in captivity.
Amazonian Dart Frog: Dendrobates ventrimacolatus
Photo by Thomas Ruedas
This frog looks like he is the body of one species stuck on the arms and legs of another. I am inclined to believe this frog was the inspiration of mid 80’s fashion.
Red-Backed Dart Frog: Dendrobates reticulatus
Photo by Tim Ross
This photo gives you a good idea on the size of these creatures, because of their size you can imagine how vulnerable they are in the wild, one land slide could wipe out entire populations, and in some cases hobbyists are an important way of keeping some species alive in the event of natural catastrophes.
All Photos From Wikimedia
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19 Responses to “Dendrobatidae: Pretty Poison”
On December 14, 2008 at 8:06 am
Won’t touch mo more frogs.
On December 14, 2008 at 9:40 am
I still would be reluctant to touch a captive one.. just in case..
thanks for your article Mark!
On December 14, 2008 at 1:55 pm
these little fellows are truly dangerous,
On December 14, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Nice! Like the bumblebee one!
Thanks,
Clay
On December 14, 2008 at 10:26 pm
These little guys are colorful and interesting but I don’t think I want to meet up with any of them. Thank you just the same.
On December 16, 2008 at 1:33 am
I think some of you are missing the point. These guys when captive bred lose their toxins and are therefore no longer dangerous. Phyllobatidae do retain their toxins and are dangerous. Especially phyllobates terribilis. This article is not about phyllobatidae, it is about dendrobatidae which do not retain their toxins into captivity. Most dendrobatidae do not even have lethal toxins to begin with. As pets they are safe if you are responsible get captive bred ones. Perhaps safer than changing your cat’s litter box. If you do not wash your hands after handling them and eat something you could get sick sure, but it would be because you didn’t wash your hands after handling an animal. Something that could happen with ANY animal, including other humans.
On December 16, 2008 at 2:36 am
Beautifully presented – what colours! It’s a shame that all the frog species are threatened. They are the canaries in the coalmines for climate change.
The Australian cane toad ( not so colourful and pretty as these babes ) is also slightly toxic; people have been eating the skin to get high!
Wonderful stuff, Mark, keep writing . j
On December 16, 2008 at 11:58 pm
Lovely colored frogs. Excellent article.
On December 17, 2008 at 12:43 am
the reason these little fellers lose thier toxicity is not completely understood, but theories include the separation from some component or components in thier food supply… many ants in their home habitats produce formic acids and other phenyl compounds which may contribute to the frogs ability to secrete toxins. The promise that these natural toxins hold is immense for humanity.
Much like the coral reefs, these jungle creatures have developed a myriad of chemical tools to solve the problems inherent in all life.
Next year I’ll have hip resurfacing surgery in India, at a state of the art, 4-star hotel quality, facility. The general anasthetic with the fewest complications and best results is none other than highly refined cobra venom.
Current losses of frogs worldwide is less an indicator of climate change (frogs biology is inherently adapted to warmer and wetter times) and more an indicator of changes in biodiversity.
Mankinds destiny is so intertwined with nature, that whatever happens to these glorious jewels of the jungle, so goes the man ape.
On December 17, 2008 at 2:57 pm
I have a story about frogs but they don’t include turning into princes. lol very informative I’m sure.
On December 17, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Aweh, their so pretty… and small. If I found one in the wild, somehow, I’d been so tempted to pick it up and pet it.
Very informative article though, I enjoyed the pictures and information.
On December 17, 2008 at 7:12 pm
I REALLY LOVE YOUR FACT’S THERE REALLY AMAZING I DIDIN’T EVEN KNOW WHICH TYPES OF FROG’S ARE PIOSONOUS.P.S WRITE ME BACK SOON AS POSSIBLE,THANK YOU!
On December 17, 2008 at 7:13 pm
I REALLY LOVE YOUR FACT’S THERE REALLY AMAZING I DIDIN’T EVEN KNOW WHICH TYPES OF FROG’S ARE PIOSONOUS.P.S WRITE ME BACK SOON AS POSSIBLE,THANK YOU!
On December 19, 2008 at 4:57 am
Great article and pictures.
On December 19, 2008 at 11:46 am
How could I not love this article, my son Darren is a leading expert on these creatures, they are his speciality. He has just left the Manchester Museum Vivarium ( they have just found the worlds rarest)and emigrated, he has now joined Vancouver Aquarium
http://frogblogmanchester.wordpress.com/2008/11/13/darren-to-canada/
My home was full of these delightful frogs, I banned the Strawberry one though!
On December 19, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Absolutely stunning photographs! I love dart frogs. I would like to have one as a pet, my husband is against it since they cost upwards of $300 in Phoenix. Plus other than our dog, I haven’t been too lucky with our fish..lol! But wonderful article!
On January 29, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Great article – wonderful creatures. In a previous career as a natural product synthetic chemist (oxymoron?) our group were trying to synthesise some of these toxins in the lab: histrionicotoxin, pumiliotoxin and batrachotoxin to be precise. Nice to see that tiny 2-3cm long frogs can make them effortlessly (unlike us chemists!!)
On February 20, 2009 at 7:48 pm
I LOVE IT….IT IS SO COOL!
On March 26, 2009 at 11:04 am
I am doing a report on strawberry poison arrow frogs. Do you know how long they have been alive? Email me at leeannweiler@tampabay.rr.com if possible send by april 7
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