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Green and black poison dart frog

Dendrobates auratus
Family: Dendrobatidae | Genus: Dendrobates

Pez Disco (Symphysodon aequifasciatus)

Green and black poison dart frog

Dendrobates auratus

Family: Dendrobatidae | Genus: Dendrobates

Terrestrial | Carnivorous | Tropical rainforest | Central America and Colombia | Up to 4.2 cm | Up to 8 years

The green and black poison dart frog (Dendrobates auratus) is a small amphibian known for its striking coloration, which serves an aposematic function, warning predators of its toxicity. However, its common name can be misleading, as not all populations display only green and black tones; some individuals also show bluish, yellowish or even whitish colouration, always combined with dark markings. Although this is a highly toxic species, it does not produce its toxins itself. Instead, it obtains them through its diet, which consists mainly of ants containing toxic compounds.

For such a small species, it displays remarkably complex social and reproductive behaviour. It is also an excellent climber, capable of reaching heights of up to 45 metres in rainforest trees.

GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION

It is found in Central America. Along the Caribbean coast, its range extends from southern Nicaragua to the Gulf of Urabá, between Panama and Colombia. Along the Pacific coast, it occurs from southern Costa Rica to the northern Pacific coast of Colombia.
It is also found on Oahu, Hawaii, where it was introduced as an exotic species for mosquito pest control.

Rana felcha verde y negra de espaldas
Rana felcha verde y negra de lado
Rana felcha verde y negra de lejos

HABITAT

It mainly inhabits lowland tropical rainforests.

Habitat characteristics:

  • Humid tropical forests.
  • Proximity to bodies of water.
  • Areas with dense vegetation and abundant leaf litter on the forest floor.
  • Tall trees, which it uses for shelter and to search for food.

LIFESTYLE AND BEHAVIOUR

The green and black poison dart frog is a diurnal and territorial species with remarkably complex social and reproductive behaviour:

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

•    It is generally solitary outside the breeding season.
•    Males are usually territorial and actively defend their territory.
•    They produce characteristic high-pitched buzzing calls to attract mates and mark their territory.

DAILY ACTIVITY

•    It is a diurnal species, meaning that it is active during the day.
•    It constantly searches for food among leaf litter and low vegetation.
•    Thanks to its adhesive toe discs, it is an excellent climber and can move through trees up to 45 metres tall.
•    It remains more still during the hottest hours of the day.

REPRODUCTION

•    It is an oviparous species, meaning that it reproduces by laying eggs.
•    A male can reproduce with up to six different females.
•    The male actively selects the nesting site among the leaf litter.
•    The male courts the female by guiding her to the chosen nest.
•    The female lays 4 to 6 eggs in the prepared nest.
•    This species exhibits paternal parental care, meaning that the male is responsible for caring for the eggs. He hydrates them, removes fungi, rotates them to promote their development and protects them from potential predators.
•    The incubation period lasts between 12 and 15 days.
•    After hatching, the male carries the tadpoles on his back to tiny pools of water among the vegetation, such as those that form in bromeliads (Bromeliaceae) or in tree cavities.

RELATIONSHIP WITH ITS ENVIRONMENT

•    This highly toxic species obtains its skin toxins through its diet.
•    Its striking colouration warns predators of its toxicity.
•    Its presence is a direct indicator of the health of tropical forests.
•    It plays an important role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystems it inhabits.

DIET

IN THE WILD

  • It is a carnivorous animal specialised in feeding on insects.
  • It feeds on a variety of insect larvae.
  • It consumes ants, from which it obtains its defensive toxins.
  • It also feeds on termites, small beetles, flies, dipterans and other small arthropods.
  • It actively captures its prey while foraging.

UNDER HUMAN CARE

  • Its diet is based mainly on fruit flies.
  • It also receives small crickets, woodlice and springtails.
  • It is fed twice a day.

      Icono de Anfibios CONSERVATION STATUS

      estado de conservación rana felcha verde y negra

      The green and black poison dart frog (Dendrobates auratus) is classified as Least Concern (LC) according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

      Its main threats are:

      • Deforestation of tropical rainforest for agricultural purposes.
      • Habitat fragmentation.
      • Loss of biodiversity, particularly among its prey.
      • The use of pesticides.
      • Changes in rainfall patterns, which alter its reproductive cycles.

      RELATED SPECIES AT POEMA DEL MAR

      Tricolour poison frog

      Yellow Banded Poison Frog