Factor #2: What does the poison frog eat? The most toxic species, Phyllobates terribilis is capable of producing 20 times as much batrachotoxin and homobatrachoxin as other Dendrobatidids these two poisons affect the heart and nervous system and their name literally translates as “frog poison” in Greek. Factor #1: Is it a species that actually exhibits poison mucous?ĭespite their common name, only three species of poison frog, Phyllobates terribilis, Phyllobates aurotaenia, and Phyllobates bicolor were ever used to coat the tips of darts by indigenous peoples. The answer to this question depends on two factors. Generally, the brighter and more vibrant the coloration, the more toxic the frog is or wants predators to believe it to be. Some species exhibit “cryptic coloration,” meaning that they do not actually produce any toxic mucous, but merely survive by signalling the implication of toxicity.
They exhibit “aposematism” or “color warning.” These animals have extremely bright patterns of coloration to signify their toxicity to predators. Several genera have their own unique nicknames as well: Colostethus frogs are sometimes referred to as “rocket frogs ” Epipedobates frogs are referred to as “phantasmal poison frogs” because of the large number of species that exhibit cryptic coloration (see below) Phyllobates frogs are referred to as “golden poison frogs” for their bright yellow coloration and are the most toxic of all poison dart frogs and Minyobates steyermarki has garnered several nicknames, including “demonic poison(-arrow) frog,” and “Yapacana’s little red frog.” Beyond the common “poison dart frog,” these animals are also known as poison frogs or dart-poison frogs.