FaunaHub

Poison Dart Frog (family Dendrobatidae)

AmphibianFrogToxic skin

Dyeing poison dart frog (Dendrobates tinctorius) with yellow and black markings.

Dyeing poison dart frog (Dendrobates tinctorius).

Image: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

Poison dart frogs are small, often brilliantly coloured frogs of the family Dendrobatidae, native to the rainforests of Central and South America. Their bright patterns are a warning (aposematic) signal that advertises toxic skin secretions to potential predators. The animal shown here is the dyeing poison dart frog (Dendrobates tinctorius).

Remarkably, much of their toxicity is acquired from their wild diet of certain small invertebrates; frogs raised in captivity on other foods are generally not toxic. Not all species in the family are dangerously toxic, and toxicity varies widely.

Conservation note: many poison dart frogs have small ranges and are affected by habitat loss; some are threatened. Verify a particular species' status at iucnredlist.org.

Habitat & Range

Poison dart frogs live in humid tropical rainforest in Central and South America, on the forest floor and in low vegetation near water. Many are tied to specific microhabitats, and some breed in tiny pools of water that collect in plants such as bromeliads.

Diet

Poison dart frogs are carnivores that feed on tiny invertebrates such as ants, mites, and other small arthropods. This specialised wild diet is the source of the chemicals the frogs concentrate in their skin — which is why captive-raised frogs on different diets typically lack the strong toxins of wild ones.

Behavior

Many poison dart frogs are active by day, relying on their warning colours rather than hiding. They are known for complex parental care: in a number of species, adults guard eggs and then carry hatched tadpoles on their backs to small pools of water. Males of many species are vocal and territorial.

Human Interaction & Conservation

The name refers to the historical use of skin secretions from a few species by some Indigenous peoples to coat blow-darts. Today the main conservation concerns are habitat loss and, for some species, collection. Wild poison dart frogs should never be handled. For current, species-specific status, consult AmphibiaWeb and the IUCN Red List.

More photos of the poison dart frog

Blue colour form of the dyeing poison dart frog.

Blue colour form (“azureus”) of Dendrobates tinctorius.

Image: Michael Gäbler, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Poison Dart Frog

Where does a poison dart frog's poison come from?
For toxic species, the poison is largely acquired from the frog's wild diet of certain small invertebrates; the frog concentrates dietary chemicals in its skin. Frogs raised in captivity without those prey items generally do not develop the strong toxins seen in the wild.
Are all poison dart frogs deadly?
No. Toxicity varies enormously across the family — some species are highly toxic while many are only mildly so or essentially harmless. The bright colours are a general warning signal, but the level of toxicity differs greatly by species and population.
Why are poison dart frogs so brightly coloured?
The vivid colours are aposematic — a warning to predators that the frog may be toxic or distasteful. Being conspicuous, rather than camouflaged, helps predators learn to avoid them.
How did poison dart frogs get their name?
The name comes from the historical practice by some Indigenous peoples of Central and South America of using the skin secretions of a few highly toxic species to coat the tips of blow-darts used in hunting.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.