Dendrobatidae Archives

Dendrobatidae - Poison Frogs

There are around 157 species in this family. They are found in Central and South America.

Poison frogs are also known as poison-arrow frogs because the poison they secrete on their skin was rubbed on the tips of blowguns by some native tribes in Colombia. In some species, the poison is strong enough to kill a human.

Many of the frogs in this family are brightly colored. Their bright coloring is a type of coloration called a badge that warns predators away.

The species in this family are tiny, only about 1-1.5 inches in length. They live in trees or on the ground and eat ants, beetles, and mites. Scientists believe they get their poison from the organisms they eat.

Tadpoles in this family are carried on the backs of the adults to a body of water. The body of water can be water that has gathered in a crevice or a flower. In some species, the male carries the tadpoles; in other species, the female carries them.

Pleasing Poison Frog
(Ameerega bassleri)

The pleasing poison frog is found in Colombia.
Ecuador Poison Frog
(Ameerega bilinguis)

The Ecuador poison frog is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
Peru Poison Frog
(Ameerega petersi)

The Peru poison frog is found in Brazil and Peru.
Three-striped Arrow Poison Frog
(Ameerega trivittata)

The three-striped arrow poison frog is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Cauca Poison Frog
(Andinobates bombetes)

The Cauca poison frog is found in Colombia.
Dotted Poison Frog
(Andinobates dorisswansonae)

The dotted poison frog is found in Colombia.
Andean Poison Frog
(Andinobates opisthomelas)

The Andean poison frog is found in Colombia.
Tolimense Poison Frog
(Andinobates tolimensis)

The Tolimense poison frog is found in Colombia.
Santa Rita Rocket Frog
(Colostethus fraterdanieli)

The Santa Rita Rocket frog is found in Colombia.
Common Rocket Frog
(Colostethus inguinalis)

The common rocket frog is found in Colombia.
Panama Rocket Frog
(Colostethus panamansis)

The Panama rocket frog is found in Colombia and Panama.
Pratt’s Rocket Frog
(Colostethus pratti)

Pratt’s rocket frog is found in Colombia and Panama.
Green and Black Poison Frog
(Dendrobates auratus)

The green and black poison frog is found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Yellow-Headed Poison Frog
(Dendrobates leucomelas)

The yellow-headed poison frog is found in Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, and Venezuela. It is also known as the bumblebee poison frog.
Dyeing Poison Frog
(Dendrobates tinctorius)

The dyeing poison frog is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname.
Yellow-Striped Poison Frog
(Dendrobates truncates)

The yellow-striped poison frog is found in Colombia.
Anthony’s Poison Arrow Frog
(Epipedobates anthonyi)

Anthony’s poison arrow frog is found in Ecuador and Peru.
Phantasmal Poison Frog
(Epipedobates tricolor)

The Phantasmal poison frog is found in Ecuador.
Maranon Poison Frog
(Excidobates mysteriosus)

The Maranon poison frog is found in Peru.
Cream-Backed Poison Frog
(Hyloxalus subpunctatus)

The cream-backed poison frog is found in Colombia.
Granular Poison Frog
(Oophaga granulifera)

The granular poison frog is found in Costa Rica and Panama.
Harlequin Poison Frog
(Oophaga histrionica)

The harlequin poison frog is found in Colombia.
Lehmann's Poison Frog
(Oophaga lehmanni)

Lehmann's poison frog is found in Colombia.
Strawberry Poison Frog
(Oophaga pumilio)

The strawberry poison frog is found in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Kokoe Poison Frog
(Phyllobates aurotaenia)

The Kokoe poison frog is found in Colombia.
Black-Legged Poison Frog
(Phyllobates bicolor)

The black-legged poison frog is found in Colombia.
Lovely Poison Frog
(Phyllobates lugubris)

The lovely poison frog is found in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Golden Poison Frog
(Phyllobates terribilis)

The golden poison frog is found in Colombia.
Golfodulcean Poison Frog
(Phyllobates vittatus)

The Golfodulcean poison frog is found in Costa Rica.
Ranitomeya amazonica
(Ranitomeya amazonica)

Ranitomeya amazonica is found in Peru, Colombia, French Guiana, and Guyana, Brazil.
Mimic Poison Frog
(Ranitomeya imitator)

The mimic poison frog is found in Peru.
Pasco Poison Frog
(Ranitomeya lamasi)

The Pasco poison frog is found in Peru.
Red-Backed Poison Frog
(Ranitomeya reticulata)

The red-backed poison frog is found in Ecuador and Peru.
Spotted Poison Frog
(Ranitomeya vanzolinii)

The spotted poison frog is found in Brazil and Peru.
Amazonian Poison Frog
(Ranitomeya ventrimaculata)

The Amazonian poison frog is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, and Peru.
Rainforest Rocket Frog
(Silverstoneia flotator)

The rainforest rocket frog is found in Costa Rica and Panama.