The most frequently asked question is “Are poison dart frogs really poisonous?” .
In the wild, yes; most pdf’s do contain batrachotoxin that is secreted thru their skin. There are more than 175 species of frogs that have been categorized as poison dart frogs. The toxin is believed to be absorbed from their diet in the wild of beetles, ants, mites and other insects that have fed on alkaloid- rich plants.
The most toxic species is Phyllobates Terribilis, the original golden poison dart frog. This is the species the Choco Indians of Colombia are so famous for using to dip the points of their blow darts. The poison would stay active for over a year, and was potent enough to kill a panther within minutes.Phyllobates Terribilis is considered to be the most poisonous vertebrate in the world. In captivity, wild caught pdf’s lose this toxicity within a year or so.
Captive raised pdf’s do not produce batrachotoxin. In captivity pdf’s are fed genetically engineered flightless or wingless fruit flies, pinhead crickets, bean beetles, flour beetle larvae, springtails, termites and other appropriate size insects.
In captivity these frogs can live and breed for 20 years or longer. They typically mature in 1 to 2 years.
An interesting fact about pdf’s is that most do not lay their eggs in water, but instead on a leaf or in a secluded bower. Egg clutches can be anywhere from 2 – 20 eggs or more depending on the species.
Usually the male, although it can be both sexes; will protect the eggs until they hatch, usually 10 -15 days, then he transports them to a water source on his back.
These tadpoles are about 10 days days old, if you look closely, you can see their gills (red filaments) are formed but not yet absorbed.
An interesting fact about pdf’s is that most do not lay their eggs in water, but instead on a leaf or in a secluded bower. Egg clutches can be anywhere from 2 – 20 eggs or more depending on the species.
Usually the male, although it can be both sexes; will protect the eggs until they hatch, usually 10 -15 days, then he transports them to a water source on his back.
These tadpoles are about 10 days days old, if you look closely, you can see their gills (red filaments) are formed but not yet absorbed.
The tadpoles instinctively know to squirm up onto his back when
he comes to collect them, and may remain there for more than a day; until he delivers them to a suitable water source.
Tadpoles generally take 8 to 12 weeks to fully develop (morph) into froglets, when they emerge from the water to land. Although pdf’s are capable of swimming they avoid large bodies of water. Occasionally they will sit in small puddles to regulate their body temperature or when they are not feeling well, but for the most part they don’t ever decide to go for a swim.
Here is my male Dendrobates Tinctorius Patricia transporting a tadpole.