BLUE DART POISON FROG
BLUE DART POISON FROG Scientific Name: Dendrobates azureus Class: Amphibia Order: Anura Physical Adaptations: The frog has a slim body with a rounded snout, slender legs with toes and fingers having small adhesive discs for climbing when necessary Its color, bright blue with black dots on its back and a light blue stomach, alerts potential predators that its skin holds a poisonous liquid which is unpleasant to the taste The pattern of spots is unique to each individual frog
Behavioral Adaptations: This species is active during the day, foraging in the leaf litter for its food These frogs are solitary, territorial, and will dispute their territory by having “wrestling matches” They are capable of communicating by means of producing calls such as clicks, trills, squeaks, and chirps
Habitat/Biome: prefers a dark, moist environment, living near small streams among moss-covered rocks
Distribution: Southernmost part of the South American country of Surinam in the Sipaliwini Savannah region
Status: Decreasing Special Notes: IUCN Category: Vulnerable CITES Listing: Appendix II Threats Include: Rainforest habitat loss
Primary Diet: Wild: ants, beetles, flies, mites spiders, termites INSECTIVORE
Fun Facts: Indigenous Embera people of Columbia have used several species of Poison dart frogs for powerful venom for centuries to tip their blowgun darts when hunting In captivity, this species loses its poisonous properties due to the lack of toxic compounds within the food it is fed The order name “Anura” means “ without a tail”
Additional Notes: Incubation: After female egg laying, become tadpoles in about 18 days and change into frogs 10 to 12 weeks later through metamorphosis Weight: about 1 ounce Length: 2 inches Life Span: in captivity up to 10 years Information Sources: (2010) Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Animal Facts animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu www.newworldencyclopedia.org
Behavioral Adaptations: This species is active during the day, foraging in the leaf litter for its food These frogs are solitary, territorial, and will dispute their territory by having “wrestling matches” They are capable of communicating by means of producing calls such as clicks, trills, squeaks, and chirps
Habitat/Biome: prefers a dark, moist environment, living near small streams among moss-covered rocks
Distribution: Southernmost part of the South American country of Surinam in the Sipaliwini Savannah region
Status: Decreasing Special Notes: IUCN Category: Vulnerable CITES Listing: Appendix II Threats Include: Rainforest habitat loss
Primary Diet: Wild: ants, beetles, flies, mites spiders, termites INSECTIVORE
Fun Facts: Indigenous Embera people of Columbia have used several species of Poison dart frogs for powerful venom for centuries to tip their blowgun darts when hunting In captivity, this species loses its poisonous properties due to the lack of toxic compounds within the food it is fed The order name “Anura” means “ without a tail”
Additional Notes: Incubation: After female egg laying, become tadpoles in about 18 days and change into frogs 10 to 12 weeks later through metamorphosis Weight: about 1 ounce Length: 2 inches Life Span: in captivity up to 10 years Information Sources: (2010) Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Animal Facts animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu www.newworldencyclopedia.org
