The truth about... poison dart frogs

There are more than 250 species of poison frogs living in the forests of South and Central America.

The frogs produce the distasteful secretions to try and deter predators from eating them. Some toxins are more powerful than others.

Did you know…
Native Indians use the toxin from certain frogs’ on theirs when hunting?

Poison frogs hunt various small invertebrates to feed on, including flies, ants, beetles, spiders, mites, caterpillars and maggots. They are diurnal which means they feed during the day and sleep at night.

Did you know…
The golden poison frog is the most toxic land animal in the world?

Living in the forests, these frogs spend more time on the ground and in the trees than they do in the water, so they have wide, flattened toes to help them grip instead of webbed feet.

In the wild, many of the frog species are disappearing because their forest home is being destroyed.

Did you know…
After their tadpoles hatch in the leaflitter, one of the parents will carry them to water on their back?

Click here to download the poison frog factsheet.