Poison Dart Frog Vivarium

Part of the Frogs: A Chorus of Colors exhibition.

Dazzling and Dangerous

The brightly colored poison dart frogs of Central and South America broadcast a visual warning to predators: Do Not Eat! Many species in the frog family Dendrobatidae ooze poison through that spectacular skin as a defense against predators. Scientists are only now unraveling the mystery of how this mechanism evolved and how frogs maintain it.

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 © Taran Grant/AMNHBumblebee Poison Frog, Dendrobates leucomelas

Poison Dart Frogs

Class: Amphibia
Family: Dendrobatidae
Size: ¾ to 2 ¾ inches
Food: Ants, termites, and other insects
Range: Central and South America
Habitat: Variable, mostly moist tropical areas
Life Cycle: Most lay small numbers of eggs and provide some parental care.

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Frog Sounds The Amazing Adaptable Frog Featured Frog Species Reproduction A Frog's Life Frogs and the Ecosystem Frog Research at the Museum Meet the Curator Frog Fun Facts Resources For Educators: Frogs: A chorus of Colors