© National Geographic
© National Geographic
Poison dart frogs are members of the Dendrobatidae family, these species of frogs are active during the day and often have brightly colored bodies. They are highly toxic, and wear some of the most brilliant and beautiful colors on Earth, their bright colors are associated with their toxicity and level of alkaloids. Their elaborate designs and bright colors deliberately shows off to w ard off potential predators, this is a tactic called aposematic coloration.
© National Geographic |
Poison dart frogs are native to humid, tropical environments of Central and South America. They are mostly found in tropical rainforests, like Cost Rica, Brazil, Peru, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Suriname, French Guyana, Panama, and non-native to Hawaii. |
Many species of Dart Frogs are critically endangered due to habitat loss, acid
rains, climate Change, and many other factors such as diseases, predators, and
Pesticides. According to the Global Amphibian Assessment, around 28% of 234 known
species of poison dart frogs are now threatened with extinction. By the end of the
1990s, researchers were observing the rapid and difficult to explain declines in
amphibian populations around the world.
The worldwide trade in frog legs is massive, and is undoubtedly a significant
contributor to the decline and extinction of amphibian populations worldwide. For
example, Europeans alone consumed roughly 120 million frogs per year in the
1990's. The Californian gold-miners nearly ate the California red-legged frog to
extinction in the 19th century, and the species has never fully recovered.
To stop the Extinction of Dart Frogs or any Frogs, many environmental agency Such as Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are putting a band on pesticides that are harmful to these frogs and many other animal. Many communities like Save the Frogs have started clubs and parades to help protect these Frogs in danger.
Poison Dart Frog's main food source is mostly insects like small beetles and other small prey. Also they eat small new born crickets.
In Media such as cartoons, movies and books Dart Frogs are given human characteristics, they are thought of as sly or smart. Dart frogs are thought of as sly because dart frogs looks really innocent and cute but they hold one of the strongest toxics which makes them really poisonous and dangerous. Dart frogs are considered smart because how they protect there self from predators, they use their flashy colored bodies to worn predators that they are really poisonous.
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