FROG (poisonous)

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There are over 175 species of poisonous frogs in the world but the most deadliest is the poison dart frog. These amphibians are called "dart frogs" due to the amerindians indigenous use of their toxic secretions to poison the tips of blowdarts. The poison dart frog has been used by tribes people for hunting animals for the last few centuries, rubbing their dart tips off the frogs’ skin. The venom from one of these darts could kill a man in seconds, each of these frogs holds enough venom to kill 10-20 men.and they are considered one or the most toxic animals on the planet. They have this venom gland to prevent predators from eating them, most animals of the jungle have learned to avoid them.

Most species of poison dart frogs are small, sometimes less than 1.5 centimetres in adult length, although a few grow up to 6 centimetres in length. They weigh about 2 grams, depending on the size of the frog. Most poison dart frogs are brightly coloured, displaying aposematic patterns. Their bright colouration is associated with their toxicity and levels of alkaloids. Frogs like the ones of Dendrobates species have high levels of alkaloids, whereas the Colostethus species are cryptically coloured and are nontoxic. When born and raised in captivity, poison frogs do not produce the skin toxins which they attain in their native habitats.

The Golden Dart Frog is gold in colour but there are other species that can range from blue, red, orange, yellow, and green, they could even come in a combination of these colours. These beautiful colours are warnings to potential predators that the frogs are poisonous. Other species, such as monarch butterflies, sport bright colours to advertise their toxicity. The Golden Dart Frog is the most toxic. These frogs can live up to be ten years old in the wild and only live around 5-8 in captivity. Some scientists think that the reticulated pattern of the frogs also acts as camouflage among the forest shadows.

Scientists have discovered how to use the venom as a powerful pain killer that is used around the world in operation rooms. They are currently working on other uses such as anti-venoms for snake bites and spider bites, and many others.

DIET : Their diet consists of basically what other frogs eat such as spiders flies, crickets, termites, ants and beetles that live in the rainforests. They capture their prey by using their excellent vision and their long sticky tongues. Whatever these frogs eat is what produces the poison, the combination of other toxins from the insects that they eat, makes up this deadly venom. A poisonous Golden Poison Dart Frog in captivity would not be poisonous because it doesn’t feel threatened in its surroundings and wouldn’t be getting the same diet as it would in the wild.

You will find these frogs in the Amazon rainforest on the Pacific side of Columbia where the humidity is high and the air is moist all year round. Unlike other frogs they spend most of their time amongst the trees. This climate allows them to travel deep into the forests away from the river banks and indulge on the insects that lay in the trees.