Darter frogs are a dangerous beauty. Spotted dart frog and blue frog - poisonous frogs in the house

1. Bicolor phyllomedusa
2. Spotted dart frog
3. Blue dart frog
4. Striped leaf climber
5. Terrible leaf climber

Any Living being instinctively strives for self-preservation. To achieve this, animals use a variety of defense techniques. Some have a dense shell, others have sharp claws, and some defend themselves from enemies deadly poisons. For example, this is exactly what most people do poisonous frogs in the world.

Similar substances are contained inside many amphibians, but most often the maximum that contact with them leads to is irritation of the skin or mucous membranes. However, when it comes to tropical animals, everything changes. If you see a frog painted in bright colors, you should stay as far away from it as possible.

Bicolor phyllomedusa

The bicolor phyllomedusa is a representative of one of the largest families of tailless amphibians, tree frogs. These are quite small frogs, the size of which usually does not exceed 119 mm. You can meet phyllomedusa in areas adjacent to the Amazon basin. Occasionally it appears in the Brazilian savannas and Cerrado forests.

The animal is green in color, the belly can be white or cream. On the limbs and chest of the phyllomedusa you can see several white spots that have dark edges. The frog's eyes are equipped with special glands that allow it to see freely while in the water. It is a widespread species overall, but is still endangered.

Compared to some other frogs found in the Amazon, the bicolor phyllomedusa is relatively non-venomous. If her discharge gets on skin, then the person will not die, although he will develop gastrointestinal disorders, and there is also a high risk of hallucinations. Phyllomidusa venom is used by Indian tribes in initiation rites for men and women, and it is also used to make some folk medicines.

Spotted dart frog

The family of tailless amphibians called dart frogs are distinguished by big amount poisonous representatives. For example, the spotted dart frog, which is also known as the dye frog, stands out among them. In nature, they can be of various colors, but any variant of them is very dangerous for humans.

The spotted poison dart frog can be seen mainly during the daytime in tropical forests. They prefer the lower tiers in the territories of Guyana, French Guiana, Brazil and Suriname. In terms of body shape and size, the spotted poison dart frog does not differ from ordinary large frogs. As a rule, females are larger than males, their maximum size can reach eight centimeters.

The color of the spotted dart frog depends on its subspecies. For example, there are Citronellas, the back and sides of which are painted bright yellow, and the rest of the body is black or blue. At the same time, the color of the animal can change for a variety of reasons, ranging from the color of the soil to the mood of Citronella.

The skin of spotted dart frogs contains batrachotoxin alkaloids. If they get to human body, will have the most negative impact on the condition of cardio-vascular system, up to cardiac arrest. It is believed that poisonous substance accumulates in the poison dart frog's body due to eating ants and mites. It is used by Indians to create wind weapons.

If the poison simply gets on a person’s skin, then it does not pose a serious danger. In this case, a burning sensation is felt and a slight headache may occur. Despite their toxicity, spotted poison dart frogs are actively grown at home due to their beautiful appearance and behavioral characteristics.

Blue dart frog

Opinions vary as to what the blue dart frog is. Some distinguish it as a separate species of dart frog, while others consider it a subspecies of the previous representative of the most poisonous frogs in the world, the spotted dart frog. This animal is of average size - no more than five centimeters. As the name suggests, the body is painted blue, while the paws are blue. There are many black spots on the surface of the skin.

Most often you can find the blue dart frog in the largest district of Suriname, Sipaliwini. These frogs prefer the ground and foliage tropical forests savannas. Here they find insects for food. Blue dart frogs are being actively hunted by local hunters and are therefore endangered.

This species differs from most poison dart frogs by combining large groups. Usually about fifty individuals live together. They live on coastal rocks, which are covered with bushes. Females use a nearby body of water to lay eggs and raise tadpoles.

Blue dart frogs use their venom for more than just repelling predators. With its help, the animal fights pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. Like most spotted poison dart frogs, the blue is also a popular terrarium animal.

Striped leaf climber

In the poison dart frog family, there is a genus with a similar name – leaf frogs. The striped leaf climber is predominantly black, but has a bright stripe on its back. In some individuals it is yellow. A wide strip of bright orange, red or gold runs along the frog's face and all the way to the base of the thigh. There is also a white line on their bodies that extends beyond the shoulder.

The feet of striped leaf climbers have a blue-green tint due to many small specks. Also on the underside, light spots of blue and green colors create a marble pattern. Striped leaf climbers are distinguished by their very small size. Adult males grow to a maximum of 26 mm, while females can be 31 mm.

You can meet such frogs in the bay Pacific Ocean, which is called Golfo Dulce, or wet forests near Costa Rica. Striped leaf climbers live in high terrain, up to 500 m above sea level. They hide between tree roots and in rocky crevices, leading a predominantly terrestrial lifestyle.

Terrible leaf climber

Among the dart frogs and the genus of leaf climbers, one frog stands out, which this moment recognized as the most poisonous in the world. Its name alone speaks volumes - the terrible leaf climber. This is a medium-sized animal, up to four centimeters, with very bright and contrasting colors. Unlike most frogs, female and male dire leaf climbers do not differ in size.

The animals are common in the southwestern tropical forests of Colombia. During the daytime, they are actively engaged in searching for and eating ticks, ants and other small insects. They require a relatively large amount of food, and just three or four days of starvation are quite capable of killing a healthy individual.

The individual itself is capable of killing almost anyone. The poison batrachotoxin does not have to be ingested by a person to cause death. Touching the dreaded foliage is enough to cause the death of a living being. Local tribes use the poison of just one frog to create several dozen poisonous arrows.

Despite this degree of toxicity, terrible leaf climbers are actively grown in captivity. However, in terrariums they have to eat other food, and therefore they gradually stop producing poison. If leaf climber offspring are born in captivity, they are no longer poisonous.

Tree frogs, also known as tree frogs, are the most colorful members of the amphibian order - their colors range from yellow and green to red and blue mixed with black. Such a bright range is not just a quirk of nature, it is a signal for predators, warning of danger. Producing a poisonous toxin that can paralyze, stun and kill even a large animal, tree frogs have firmly established themselves in the impenetrable tropical forests of Central and South America, Where high humidity and the enormous biodiversity of insects allows them to survive for more than 200 million years. Having appeared on Earth at the same time as dinosaurs, frogs demonstrate extraordinary adaptation to the environment - painted in all the colors of the rainbow, they are practically invisible among lush vegetation and inedible for most representatives of the fauna.

- The Amerindians have long learned to benefit from the poison of poison dart frogs, using it as a deadly substance to lubricate the tips of their hunting darts. Having pierced the frog with a stick, the Indians first held it over the fire, and then collected the droplets of poison that appeared on the skin of the animal into a container, after which they dipped the arrows in a viscous liquid. This is where another name for poisonous tree frogs- dart frogs.

Unusual facts from the life of poison dart frogs

• Among the brightly colored 175 species of tree frogs, only three pose a threat to humans, the rest mimic toxicity with their appearance, although they are not poisonous.
• The size of dangerous tree frogs reaches 2-5 cm, with females being larger than males.
• Tree frogs climb trees thanks to the rounded ends on their legs that resemble suction cups. Making circular movements with their limbs, they move quite easily along the vertical plane of a tree trunk.
• Poison dart frogs prefer to live alone, carefully protecting the boundaries of their territory, and only come together during the mating season after reaching 2 years of age.
• Tree frogs acquire their bright colors with age; baby frogs always have a nondescript brown color.
• The frog's body does not produce poison - it adsorbs toxins small insects. Toxic secretions appear on the skin of an amphibian at the moment of danger and are caused by a specific “diet”, which includes ants, flies, and beetles. Tree frogs raised in captivity, away from their natural place habitats and deprived of their usual food, are absolutely harmless.
• Dart frogs are both diurnal and night look life, climb the ground and trees, and use a long sticky tongue when hunting.
• The life cycle of tree frogs is 5-7 years, in captivity – 10-15 years.

Yellow poison dart frog

Inhabited in the Andean foothills - in coastal areas southwestern Colombia, the most poisonous frog in the world - the terrible leaf climber ( Phyllobates terribilis ) , prefers growing on rocks 300-600 m above sea level. Deciduous litter under the crowns of trees near the reservoir - favorite place for the most dangerous vertebrate in the world - the yellow-gold tree frog, whose poison can kill 10 people at a time.

Distribution zone of the strawberry tree frog (Andinobates geminisae) measuring 1.5 cm from the family poisonous leaf climbers, first found in 2011, is the jungle of Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama. The red-orange palette of the unusual amphibian's body is adjacent to bright blue on the hind legs and black markings on the head. After the dreaded golden leaf frog, the red tree frog is the second most toxic species in the world.

Okopipi blue poison frog

In 1968, the sky-blue tree frog Dendrobatus azureus was first discovered by scientists in the humid tropics. A bright shade of cobalt or azure sapphire with black and white flecks is a classic Okopipi colorway. Own name poisonous tree frog received from local aborigines a long time ago - unlike scientists, the Amerindians have known it for many centuries. The distribution area of ​​​​the unusual vertebrate is the relict tropical forests surrounding the Sipaliwini savanna, stretching through the southern regions of Suriname and Brazil. According to scientists, the blue dart frog was, as it were, “canned” in this area during the last Ice Age, when part of the jungle turned into a grassy plain. The surprising thing is that Okopipi does not know how to swim like all amphibians, and it obtains the necessary moisture in the humid thickets of the tropical forest.

Distribution area red-eyed tree frog- Agalychnis callidryas, quite extensive: from Northern Colombia, through the entire central part of America, to the southern tip of Mexico. Lives this type amphibians mainly in the lowlands of Costa Rica and Panama. The coloring of the “big-eyed” dart frog is the most intense in the family of tailless vertebrates - neon spots of blue and orange are scattered on a bright green background. But the eyes of this amphibian are especially remarkable - scarlet, with a vertical narrow pupil, they help the harmless little frog scare away predators.

In the east of the continent, there is another species of red-eyed frog - Litoria chloris - the owner of a rich light green color with yellow splashes. Both types of tree frogs are not poisonous despite their expressive “outfit” and piercing gaze.

Interesting to know! Many animals have striking colors - warning colors developed during evolution to protect against predators and indicating the toxicity of its owner. As a rule, this is a combination of contrasting colors: black and yellow, red and blue or others, a striped or drop-shaped pattern - even those predators that are naturally color-blind can distinguish such colors. In addition to the catchy color scheme miniature animals have big eyes, incommensurate with the dimensions of the body, which in the dark creates the illusion of a large organism. This feature, intended for survival, is called aposematism.

Medical uses of tree frog venom

Scientists' research into the pharmacological use of frog toxins began back in 1974, when the US National Institutes of Health first conducted experiments with dendrobatid and Epidatidine, the main components of tree frog venom. It turned out that in its pain-relieving properties one substance is 200 times superior to morphine, and the other is 120 times superior to nicotine. In the mid-90s, scientists at Abbott Labs. managed to create a synthetic version of epidatidine - ABT-594, which significantly reduces pain, but does not put people to sleep like opiates. The American Natural History Museum team also analyzed 300 alkaloids found in tree frog venom and determined that some were effective in treating neuralgia and muscle dysfunction.

• The most big frog in the world - goliath (Conraua goliath) from West Africa, the length of her body (excluding legs) is about 32-38 cm, weight - almost 3.5 kg. The giant amphibian lives in Cameroon and Guinea, on the sandy shores African rivers Sanaga and Benito.
• The smallest frog in the world is the tree toad from Cuba, it grows 1.3 cm in length.
• In total, there are about 6 thousand species of frogs in the world, but every year scientists find more and more new species.
• A toad is the same as a frog, only its skin is dry, unlike frogs, and covered with warts, and its hind legs are shorter.
• The frog sees perfectly at night and is sensitive to even the slightest movement; in addition, the location and shape of the eyes allows it to perfectly view the area not only in front and to the sides of itself, but also partially behind.
• Thanks to their long hind legs, frogs can jump a distance of 20 times their body length. The Costa Rican tree frog has membranes between the toes of its hind and front paws - this unique aerodynamic device helps it float in the air when it jumps from one branch to another.
• Like all amphibians, frogs are cold-blooded - their body temperature changes in direct proportion to the parameters environment. When the air temperature drops to a critical level, they burrow underground and remain in suspended animation until spring. Even if 65% of a tree frog's body is frozen, it will survive by increasing the concentration of glucose in its vital organs. Another example of vitality is demonstrated by the Australian desert frog - it can survive without water for about 7 years.

New species of frogs and toads found in the world

Recently, in the highlands of western Panama, a the new kind gold tree frog. Scientists were able to spot the amphibian in dense foliage due to an unusual loud croaking sound, unlike any previously studied. When zoologists caught the animal, a yellow pigment began to appear on its paws. There was a fear that the discharge was poisonous, but after a series of tests, it turned out that the bright yellow mucus did not contain any toxins. A strange feature of the frog helped the scientific team come up with its scientific name - Diasporus citrinobapheus, which conveys the essence of its behavior in Latin. Another new species of poisonous frog, Andinobates geminisae, was found by scientists in Panama (Doroso, Colon province), in the upper reaches of the Rio Caño River. According to experts, the neon orange frog is on the verge of extinction, since its habitat is extremely small.

On the island of Sulawesi near the Philippine archipelago, a scientific team discovered the existence large quantity clawed frogs - 13 species, and 9 of them were hitherto unknown to science. Differences are observed in the body size of amphibians, the size and number of spurs on the hind legs. Due to the fact that this species is the only one on the island, nothing prevents it from breeding and reproducing, unlike its relatives in the Philippines, where clawed tree frogs compete with another species - amphibians of the Platymantis family. Fast growth the number of island anurans clearly demonstrates the correctness of Charles Darwin’s concept of adaptive distribution, described using the example of finches from the Galapagos archipelago.

Biodiversity of frogs on Earth

• Vietnam. About 150 species of amphibians are common here; in 2003, 8 new species of frogs were found in the country.
• Venezuela. The exotic state is sometimes called the “lost world” - many table mountains, difficult to reach for researchers, are distinguished by endemic flora and fauna. In 1995, a group of scientists undertook a helicopter expedition to the Sierra Yavi, Guanay and Yutaye mountains, where 3 species of frogs unknown to science were found.
• Tanzania. A new species of tree frog, Leptopelis barbouri, has been discovered in the Ujungwa Mountains.
• Papua New Guinea. Over the past decade, 50 unstudied species of tailless amphibians have been discovered here.
• Northeastern regions of the USA. Habitat of the rare spider-like toad.
• Madagascar. The island is home to 200 species of frogs, 99% of which are endemic - unique species not found anywhere else. The scientists' latest find, the narrow-mouthed toad, was discovered through a study of the soil and foliage of the jungle, during which they were able to identify the amphibian's excrement.
• Colombia. The most outstanding discovery scientists in this region - the species of tree frog Colostethus atopoglossus, which lives only on the eastern slopes of the Andes, in El Boquerón.

Argentina, Bolivia, Guyana, Tanzania and many more countries with tropical climate and rugged landscapes - these are regions where scientists are constantly finding new subspecies of animals, including tailless amphibians - frogs. Possessing miniature sizes, arboreal representatives of the amphibian order are not only the smallest, but also the most dangerous animals in the world - modern zoologists are increasingly convinced of this.

In contact with

The most poisonous frogs, ironically, have the most amazing and beautiful appearance, however, it is extremely undesirable to touch them. Just one touch to the skin of these creatures can cost you your life. Find out more about the most poisonous, but very colorful and beautiful frogs.

1) Bicolor phyllomedusa

Phyllomedusa bicolor

This large frog, often called the monkey frog, is very curious. Although its venom is not as dangerous as that of some other representatives of the frog world, most of us are unlikely to want to try its effects: the venom can cause unpleasant hallucinations or stomach problems. We say "most of us" because some tribes on the banks of the Amazon do deliberately use their poison to induce hallucinations.

2) Spotted poison dart frog

Dendrobates tinctorius

This amazingly beautiful frog can have different skin colors; it is interesting not only because its skin is poisonous, which should not be forgotten, but also because its poison has a special effect on parrots. Indigenous peoples of the Amazon use frog poison to change the color of the feathers of parrots.

3) Red-backed poison frog

Ranitomeya reticulatus

Native to Peru, this frog has a mild venom that can cause health problems in humans and can kill some animals. Like other poisonous frogs, these beautiful little creatures require special food to produce their poison. In this case, the “raw material” of poison for them is poisonous ant. The frog stores poison in the skin glands and releases it as needed. Most often this happens in case of danger, when some predator is about to eat the frog.

4) Little poison dart frog

Dendrobates pumilio

Very small in size, but quite bright and beautiful, this strawberry frog is found in the impenetrable forests of Central America. Its bright color warns: “Stay away or you will get burned.” You should take the threat seriously, as the frog can really sting painfully, and the sensation is similar to a burn.

5) Blue dart frog

Dendrobates azureus

This frog is really very cute, as can be seen from the photo. However, its beautiful and bright color does not bode well: its poison is enough to kill even the largest natural predator; there are cases where even people died from this poison. However, some brave people keep these creatures at home as pets. How is this possible, you ask? Fortunately, in captivity frogs lose their poisonous properties, because they do not receive special food to produce poison, and they don’t need it, since no one will offend them in the aquarium. The frog retains its wonderful appearance, but loses its poison. This applies to all frogs on our list.

6) Charming leaf climber

Phyllobates lugubris

The charming leaf climber is the least poisonous of its genus, although it still makes its victims bitterly regret that they tried to attack it. He is called "charming frog" only because of his appearance. If you want to find representatives of this species in the wild, you should go to Central America. It is unlikely that you will have to look for it for a long time, since such poisonous creatures are usually not going to hide from someone.

7) Striped leaf climber

Phyllobates vittatus

As with the frogs mentioned above, these small amphibians with their bright colors warn enemies that they are not as defenseless as they seem, so you should stay away from them. The venom of these creatures causes severe pain and can even lead to paralysis.

8) Spotted poison frog

Ranitomeya variabilis

These beautiful creatures live in the tropical forests of Ecuador and Peru and are one of the most poisonous representatives of the genus Ranitomeya. The poison of one frog can be enough to kill 5 people! Although the frog looks very cute, it should not be touched under any circumstances. Even if you are lucky enough to visit the forests of Ecuador or Peru, you should not be afraid to encounter a frog. She will never attack first.

9) Three-striped leaf climber

Epipedobates tricolor

These frogs are very small, but are one of the most deadly amphibians. They can kill not only large animals, but also humans, so no one would think of playing with them. Frogs are endangered, so they can rarely be found even in their homeland - in the forests of Ecuador. To save these frogs and increase their numbers, researchers are trying to breed them in captivity. Preserving them is also important from a medical point of view: the poison of these frogs is 200 times stronger than morphine and is an excellent pain reliever.

10) Terrible leaf climber

Phyllobates terribilis

This extremely poisonous frog lives in Colombia. Despite their eye-catching appearance, these creatures are not the type to play with: their bright colors warn of danger. In fact, these frogs are so poisonous that a person can die just by touching them, hence the name. Dire leaf climbers do not use venom to kill their prey, but only to protect themselves from predators. Therefore, if you see frogs in the forest, but do not try to touch them, they will not cause you any harm.

This is an amphibian caught in wildlife, is endangered, and I want to warn you right away that it is not very suitable for keeping in home aquariums. It is very poisonous. But it's not all that scary. The degree of toxicity depends on the diet, and these amphibians raised in captivity over time become completely harmless. The golden frog needs such poisonous insects and worms that cannot be obtained at home. So, let's take a closer look at this poisonous creature.

The golden frog (Phyllobates terribilis), also known as the terrible leaf frog, is found along the Pacific coast of Colombia. The optimal habitat for it is a tropical forest with heavy continuous precipitation (5 m or more), a temperature of at least 26 ° C, and relative humidity air 80-90%. Under natural conditions, these frogs live in groups of up to six individuals, but in artificial conditions many more can be accommodated. This species is often considered harmless due to their small size and bright colors, however it is the most poisonous frog. And wild animals are not just poisonous, but deadly poisonous. Eat confirmed facts fatal outcome in direct contact with the frog only from touching it.

Why is the golden frog so poisonous? The skin of the terrible leaf frog is thickly covered with a poisonous alkaloid - batrachotoxins, which is found in almost all poison dart frogs, but not in such quantities as in this yellow beauty. This poison paralyzes nervous system, under its influence, the transmission of impulses in the body instantly stops, as a result of which all muscles remain inactive and do not contract. This may lead to heart failure or arrhythmia. The alkaloid batrachotoxins can remain on the skin of an animal for many years, even after death. Cases of fatal poisoning of animals due to contact with paper towel, in which golden frogs were wrapped.

Like most poisonous frogs, this species uses its venom only as a self-defense mechanism and not to kill prey. The most poisonous creature after the terrible leaf climber is considered to be only slightly less toxic. The average dose of poison contained in one frog, according to some biologists, is about one milligram, but it is enough to kill about 10 thousand mice. The same dose is enough to kill from 10 to 20 people, two African elephants or bulls. Such an extremely lethal poison is very rare. Batrachotoxin can only be found in three poison frogs from Colombia (genus Phyllobates) and three poisonous birds from Papua New Guinea: Pitohui dichrous, Ifrita kowaldi, Pitohui kirhocephalus. Other related toxins, histrionicotoxin and pumiliotoxin, are present in other species of dart frogs in the genus Dendrobates.

The golden frog, like most poisonous relatives, has poison in the skin glands. Because of this poison, the terrible leaf climber has practically no predators that consume them as food, since this alkaloid kills all living things, with the exception of Liophis Epinephelus snakes. This snake is resistant to the golden frog's venom, although it is not completely immune to it. Poisonous frogs are perhaps the only creatures that are not afraid of this poison. They have special sodium channels in their cells that neutralize the poison, so it cannot harm them.

The fruit flies and small flies that these animals are fed in captivity are not rich in the alkaloids necessary to produce brachotoxin, so the frogs do not produce the toxin, and over time they completely lose their toxicity. Many hobbyists and herpetologists keeping these amazing creatures, observed that most frogs do not eat ants at all in captivity, although ants make up the bulk of their diet in the wild. This is probably due to the lack of natural conditions for hunting them. (To be continued)