These wildly coloured little guys really prove that dynamite comes in small packages. Despite their tiny size (fully grown species average about 2.5 centimetres in length), the poison dart frog packs a powerful punch and, according to National Geographic Traveler magazine, certain species have enough poison on board to kill 20 000 mice or nearly 20 humans!
Native to the forests of South America, you can now see these critters at the Two Oceans Aquarium during the school holidays (25 June to 17 July) and marvel at their beautifully bright colours as part of our new Weird, Wild and Wonderful school holiday programme.
Wikipedia explains that their aposematic (bright colouration warning of danger) patterns are used to ward off potential predators, and are also associated with their high level of alkaloids. Interestingly, when born and raised in captivity, poison dart frogs do not produce the skin toxins which they retain in the wild.
It is argued that this is because dart frogs do not actually synthesise their own poison, but rather withdraw poisonous chemicals from other creatures they eat like ants and centipedes.
According to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park, “Male frogs go through an elaborate ritual to attract a mate. The males vocalise a loud trill to attract females. Once the courtship ritual is complete, the females deposit dozens of eggs on leaves. The eggs are encased in a gelatinous substance for protection against decay.”
The video below shows a strawberry dart frog checking up on her tadpole brood. This frog has to make an epic climb in order to drop her young into deposits of water found in the upper reaches of the forest foliage. Truly wild!
