Where Did Poison Dart Frogs Get Their Name?

Many (many) years ago, it is believed that hunters in South American tribes would rub their blow darts or arrow tips onto frogs’ backs to make these weapons poisonous to the animals they were hunting. From this story, frogs known to secrete poisons through their skin became known as “poison dart frogs” [1].

Poison dart frogs are amphibians that belong to the Dendrobatidae family, which is the scientific name for poison dart frogs. Dendrobatidae translates to “one who walks in the trees”. There are over 200 species of poison dart frogs. Specific types of poison dart frogs, known as subspecies, have their own unique names often based on coloring, such as the sky-blue poison dart frog and the black-legged poison dart frog.

Where Do Poison Dart Frogs Call Home?

Poison dart frogs are originally from rainforests in Central and South America. They might only live for 3 years in the wild, but when they are in captivity (such as zoos or aquariums) they can live for 10–20 years. Poison dart frogs are much smaller than typical frogs, with the biggest being about 2 inches (about 5 cm) in size and others as small as a paper clip. Poison dart frogs are diurnal, meaning they are awake during the day. This is different from other species of frogs that are nocturnal, meaning they are awake during the nighttime (Figure 1).

Are “Poison” Dart Frogs Actually Poisonous?

Whether poison dart frogs are actually poisonous or not depends on where they live. Poison dart frogs only make their poison when they eat a certain diet. When poison dart frogs live in the wild, they eat poisonous insects, which allows the frogs to also be poisonous. However, when the frogs live in captivity, such as a zoo or aquarium, they eat non-poisonous insects like crickets. Poison dart frogs that live in captivity are not actually poisonous, but they could be if they were released back into their natural homes of Central and South America.

Each kind of poison dart frog makes its own unique type of poison. There are hundreds of different toxins found in the different poison dart frog species. The poison is located in glands all over their skin. The most toxic poison dart frog is the golden poison dart frog. This frog, which produces a toxin called batrachotoxin [2], is considered one of the most toxic animals in the world. A single golden poison dart frog in the wild, only about 5 cm in size, has enough poison to kill 10 adult people. While there is no known antidote for batrachotoxin poisoning, there are medications that could potentially be used to reverse its effects. However, because wild poison dart frogs typically live in specific regions of Central and South America where people do not come into contact with them frequently, and because captive poison dart frogs are not actually poisonous, it is very unlikely for humans to be poisoned by these creatures.

Why Are Poison Dart Frogs Such Bright Colors?

As we mentioned, poison dart frogs come in many colors (Figure 2). Animals are sometimes brightly colored as a warning to predators, or animals that might eat them, that they are poisonous [3]. This is called aposematism , meaning that poison dart frogs have their bright coloring so that other animals will recognize that they should not eat them. Animals who try to eat a poison dart frog may experience swelling, nausea, and even become paralyzed.

One animal that is immune to the poison of these frogs and can eat them without issue is the fire-bellied snake (Figure 3).

Poison Dart Frogs Are Unique And Endangered

Unfortunately, many species of poison dart frogs are endangered and on the verge of becoming extinct. Although they do not have natural predators, some species of poison dart frogs are in trouble due to the behaviors of humans. As rainforests are cut down, poison dart frogs are losing their homes and many have been unable to survive. Other threats to poison dart frogs include infections, often from a fungus. Poison dart frogs kept in zoos and aquariums might receive an anti-fungal medication to help them stay healthy.

In summary, poison dart frogs are unique in many ways. Scientists and researchers are studying these frogs, hoping to make medicines from the toxins they release. Most of these toxins are still not well-understood. Unfortunately, if humans continue to endanger the poison dart frog’s habitat and bring these species closer to extinction, scientists might lose the chance to study these chemicals forever. It is important to support organizations that research and protect poison dart frogs, to keep them safe. If you would like to help support the safety of poison dart frogs, ask your teacher, parent, or librarian about ways you can get involved.

Glossary

Diurnal: ↑ Staying awake during the day and sleeping during the night (opposite of nocturnal).

Nocturnal: ↑ Staying awake during the night and sleeping during the day (opposite of diurnal).

Toxin: ↑ A poison, such as the poison produced by animals like the poison dart frog.

Batrachotoxin: ↑ A deadly poison made by the golden poison dart frog.

Aposematism: ↑ The use of bright colors by animals to warn other animals that they are poisonous and should not be eaten.

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