POISON DART FROG

Dart Frogs exhibit some of the most brilliant and beautiful colors on Earth. Depending on where they live in the wild, they can have yellow, gold, copper, red, green, blue, or black coloring. Their elaborate designs and bright colors are deliberately bold to ward off potential predators.

Some species have unique parenting habits, such as carrying both eggs and tadpoles on their backs. Male Dart Frogs play especially important roles in attending to the clutch and perform vital transportation duties.

Dart Frogs are some of the most toxic animals on Earth. One kind of Dart Frog, the Golden Poison Frog, has enough poison to kill 10 adults. For centuries, the indigenous Emberá people of Colombia have used its powerful poison to coat the tip of their blowgun darts for use in hunting. This is where the frogs get their name.

There are several possible medicinal uses for the poison from some Dart Frogs. A synthetic version of one poison shows promise as an effective painkiller.