Marañón Poison Dart Frog
Scientific name: Excidobates mysteriosus
Poison dart frogs are known for their bright colours. These colours are not just to show off but they warn potential predators that the frogs are toxic, which enables them to be active during the day without predation. Adult Marañón frogs are black or brown with white dots covering their body.
Unlike venomous snakes, poison dart frogs don’t inject their toxins. Their toxin is secreted through pores in the skin and only needs to be touched to have an effect. These toxins are for self defence to prevent other animals eating them.
They will lay 5-8 eggs in Bromeliad plants which catch rainwater to create little pools where the tadpoles develop. The female will continue to lay several unfertilized eggs per day in the pools which serve as food for the growing tadpoles. These frogs can live for 6-10 years.
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We live...
In the Reptile House, next to the meerkat enclosure.
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Size Fact
Marañón poison dart frogs are generally around 2.5cm in size.
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Food Fact
Poison dart frogs have a long sticky tongue that darts in and out and allows them to catch a variety of small insects including flies, beetles, ants and termites.
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Fun Fact
The brighter, more colourful the poison dart frog is, the more toxic they are.
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