Colonies

This frog lives a colonial lifestyle on the forest floor, near small streams and rivers in the rainforests. With consistent rainfall and high temperatures, the habitat in this frog’s range is constantly green.

Warning Colors

The bright colors of these frogs are noticeable on purpose. They warn other animals that they are harmful due to their poisonous skin. Animals will avoid these brightly colored creatures. The frogs acquire the poison in the wild through the insects that they eat. In human care, when fed non-toxic insects, the frogs do not secrete poison and are harmless.

Indigenous Impact

In Colombia, native peoples have historically used these frogs’ poisonous skin secretions to coat the ends of hunting arrows. Hunters have been able to secure jaguars, primates and birds. The batrachotoxin secretions of this species of frog have proven to be for more than just hunting applications. Benefits of this toxin have been applied to human medicines such as anesthetics, cardiac stimulants and muscle relaxants.

 

To learn more, download the Bicolor Poison Dart Frog fact sheet.