Dyeing Poison Frog

Dendrobates tinctorius

Animal Class: Amphibians

Length: 1-2 Inches

Weight: 1/10 of an ounce

Life Span: 4-10 years

Diet: Wild: Insects, including termites, crickets, beetles, ants, and fruit flies

Habitat: Dyeing poison dart frogs live in the tropical rainforests of southern Suriname, South America. They are terrestrial but stay near water. Because they do not have webbed feet, these frogs are not good swimmers and do not spend time in the water.

Description: The dyeing poison dart frog can vary in color and pattern. They also have black spots on their heads. Their bright colors warn other animals that they are poisonous or toxic. Most species of poison dart frogs have about 200 micrograms of poison in their systems. The skin toxins are derived from the frog’s diet.

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Our Animals: The Zoo has a group of blue morph (Dendrobates tinctorius “azureus”) dyeing poison dart frogs in the Learning Center.