Blue poison dart frog
Dendrobates tinctorius azureus
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Blue poison dart frogs are found in only a few isolated areas of rainforest in Suriname and northern Brazil, so were only discovered in 1969.
Like their name suggests, blue poison dart frogs are a magnificent bright blue colour, ranging from royal blue on their limbs to a darker blue hue on their stomach. They do not have webbing between their toes and this impacts their swimming ability. As a result, they are not often found in water.
Wild poison dart frogs store a natural poison in their skin that can paralyse or even kill predators. These poisons are not created by the frog itself but are due to their diet of highly poisonous ants in the wild. The bright colouration of these frogs also serves as warning to potential predators - this is called 'aposematic colouration'. Indigenous cultures have used these frogs’ poison for centuries to coat the tip of their blow darts before hunting - a tradition that inspired the species' name.
There are more than 100 species of poison dart frog however climate change and habitat loss are threatening their survival. Certain species are brighter coloured than others. This is because the beautiful bright colours that these frogs exhibit are correlated to their levels of toxicity. Poison dart frogs are threatened as a result of collection for the pet trade, habitat destruction and a deadly fungus known as ‘Chytrid’ which is wiping out populations of amphibians around the world.
We are currently home to several blue poison dart frogs which can be found in the Wee Beasties building.
Population
Unknown
Diet
Insectivore
Habitat
Rainforest
Fact file
Females lay between one and thirty eggs
The tadpoles will eat their siblings so they are each taken to different water sources on the back of one of the parents
The spots on their backs are unique and can be used to identify individuals, just like a human fingerprint
The male and females of this species can be distinguished by the shape of their toes - males' are heart-shaped and females' are round
Poison dart frogs are able to produce different sounds and each species has their own unique call. Their vocalisations also help them to communicate when marking territory or communicating distress
Poison dart frogs are among the most poisonous amphibians in the world. However, they don’t use this as a means of attack. Instead, it acts as a deterrent
How we're helping
Like all the animals in our care our blue poison dart frogs are amazing ambassadors for their relatives in the wild and help hundreds of thousands of people connect with nature every year. They encourage visitors to learn about the threats facing wildlife and the action they can take to help create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.
As a wildlife conservation charity, we care for the animals here at the zoo and work to protect species at risk around the world. From providing expertise in genetics and veterinary health, to protecting wild places with local conservation partners, and even restoring threatened species to the wild, we are active where we are needed most.
Find out more about RZSS conservation