Treefrog Interactive Inc.

About Tree Frogs

Phyllobates - The Poisonous Beauties

Phyllobates is a Latin word that means ‘leaf climber.’ Very true to its name, this frog often climbs up into trees, and so are aptly called tree frogs. They are the most poisonous among all amphibians, and are thus used by Indians for making darts lethal for hunting animals. This is how they acquired the name poison dart frogs. They exist in the Amazon forests from Nicaragua to Colombia in South America.

General Information

There are many species of these tree frogs, all of them brightly colored to dissuade predators. They are more deadly and poisonous than the Dendrobates poison dart frogs, as Phyllobates secrete the lethal and rare toxin Batrachotoxin. However, they lose their toxicity if they are not feeding on the ants and insects that carry this toxic compound. The frogs of different species grow to sizes of 3 cm to 5 cm and require a highly humid environment. They live in temperatures varying from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, and at altitudes varying from 5 m to 500 m. Their un-webbed toes have adhesive pads, helping them to climb plants or trees, and they are insectivorous in terms of eating habits. They also indulge in a non-insect diet of arthropods. Let's find out what makes the various species different from one another.

Phyllobates Terribilis

As the name would suggest, these are the most terrible of these tree frogs! Nicknamed as Golden Poison Frog and a native of Colombia, it is the world’s most poisonous vertebrate. They appear to have teeth, although this is deceiving as they actually have a bone plate in the lower jaw. They are big eaters. They do not have dark spots on their skin, are generally active in daytime, and are not as territorial as other dart frogs. They exist in three different coloured varieties or morphs. One morph carries the name Mint Green, which actually appears as pale green, metallic green or white; yellow morphs vary between pale to deep yellow; and orange morphs, are more like yellow-orange or metallic orange in color.

Other types of Phyllobates

Phyllobates aurotaenia or the Kokoe Poison Dart Frog has black skin with green, golden and orange stripes on its outer sides, running along its length. The pattern and color of stripes varies in the frogs of different locality, and their calls are similar to a bird.

Phyllobates bicolor or Blacklegged Dart Frog appear golden-yellow with hind legs that have black spots. They also have sticky and long retractable tongues.

Phyllobates vittatus or the Golfodulcean Poison Dart Frog, being very small in size, has a solid black back and head with stripes of yellow, gold, orangeand white, and black limbs spotted with blue-green.

Phyllobates lugubris, the Striped Poison Dart Frog, commonly called the Lovely Poison Frog is small in size and jet-black in color with gold, orange, yellow, and turquoise stripes. It has large black eyes, blending with the background of its skin color.

Phyllobates offer variety and beauty and they are easy pets. If left in their natural home, the forest, they reduce the insect population, thus balancing the ecosystem.