Blue Poison Dart Frog

Blue Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates tinctorius azureus) is a subspecies of poison dart frog found in the forests surrounded by the Sipaliwini Savanna, which is located in southern Suriname (known in Surinamese Dutch as blauwe pijlgifkikker; and in indigenous Tirio name, okopipi) and adjacent far northern Brazil.

Etymology

They are called poison dart frogs because indigenous people living in the rainforest used the skin toxins to “poison” the tips of their darts and arrows.

Physical Appearance

Females are larger and about half a centimeter longer than males, but males have larger toes. The frog has a typical lifespan of five to seven years in the wild. Its bright blue skin, usually darker around its limbs and stomach, serves as a warning to predators. The glands of poisonous alkaloids are a defense mechanism against potential predators. The black spots are unique to each frog, enabling individuals to be identified. Each foot has four toes, each with a flattened tip and a suction cup pad used for gripping. The tips of the toes in females are round, while males have heart-shaped tips.

Abilities

Frogs attack by using their tongue to pull certain smaller creatures into their mouth, whereupon the smaller creature is instantly killed.

This poison coating cause of paralyzes and sometimes kill the predator.

Ecology

The blue poison dart frog feeds on ants, beetles, flies, mites, spiders, termites, maggots, and caterpillars, in captivity, like most captive dart frogs, they eat a staple diet of fruit flies, pinhead crickets, rice flour beetle larvae, and springtails. Blue poison dart frogs have excellent senses of sight and smell.

The blue poison dart frog is a mainland animal but stays close to water sources. During the day, these frogs spend most of their awake time hopping around in short leaps. To find mates, the males sit on a rock and produce quiet calls, which the females follow to track down the males. The females then physically fight over a male. The male takes the female to a quiet place by the water, which becomes the site of the egg-laying. In captivity, the frogs lose toxicity as a result of altered diets.

Behavior

They are very territorial and aggressive both towards their species and others. To ward off intruders, they use a series of calls, chases, and wrestling. Between five and 10 offspring are produced at each mating. Eggs are laid in the male's territory, which he defends.

Distribution and Habitat

This species was found in only a few isolated areas of rainforest in Suriname and northern Brazil. They are diurnal, which means they are active during the day.

Movement Pattern: Not a Migrant
Population Trend: Increasing
Population: ???
Locomotion: Amphibious
Habitat: Tropical to Temperate
Earth: Brazil; French Guiana; Guyana; Suriname