Poison dart frog is the common name of a group of frogs in the family Dendrobatidae which are native to Central and South America. Unlike most frogs, these species are active during the day and often have brightly-colored bodies. Although all wild dendrobatids are at least somewhat toxic, levels of toxicity vary considerably from one species to the next and from one population to another. Many species are critically endangered. These amphibians are often called “dart frogs” due to the Amerindians’ indigenous use of their toxic secretions to poison the tips of blowdarts. Their coloring can be yellow, gold, copper, red, green, blue, or black. Their elaborate designs and hues are deliberately ostentatious to ward off potential predators, a tactic called aposematic coloration.

1. Dyeing Poison Dart Frog

Dyeing dart frog is the third largest species, reaching lengths of 50 millimetres (2.0 in). This species is distributed throughout the eastern portion of the Guiana Shield, including parts of Guyana, Suriname, Brazil, and nearly all of French Guiana. The species encompasses a great diversity of color and patterning variants (subspecies and morphs). Some batrachologists suspect that some of these are actually different species. They rub them on the skin of young parrots, and the toxifying of the bird’s skin causes them to grow feathers of different colors.

2. Blue Poison Dart Frog

Poison dart frogs, like this sapphire-blue species, are highly toxic. Their brilliant colors broadcast a warning to potential predators: Keep away. They lack toe webbing and are poor swimmers, so they are never found in the water. Blue poison dart frog is found in the forests surrounded by the Sipaliwini savannah, which is located in southern Suriname and northern to central Brazil.

3. Strawberry Poison Dart Frog

Strawberry poison dart frogs are less venomous to humans than other poison dart frogs, but their toxins will cause swelling and a burning sensation. The strawberry poison frog is perhaps most famous for its widespread variation in coloration, comprising approximately 15-30 color morphs, most of which are presumed to be true-breeding.

4. Golden Poison Dart Frog

The golden poison dart frog is among the most venomous of this colorful frog species. Considered to be one of the most toxic animals on Earth, golden poison dart frogs have enough venom to kill ten grown humans. Actually, this poison dart frog is confirmed to have killed humans who touched the wild frog directly.

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