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The
Blue Poison Arrow frog, one of the most striking of the poison arrow
frogs, is a mid-sized frog growing to a length that ranges from
3.0 to 4.5 cm. They usually weigh approximately 3 grams.
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Male poison arrow frogs in the Dendrobates family can be distinguished
from females by their larger front toe pads. |
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The blue color of this species of dart frog can range from a powder
blue to a cobalt or sapphire blue. The Blue Poison Arrow frog also
has black spots. |
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| Blue Poison
Arrow frogs are found exclusively in the southern part of
Suriname (or Surinam), South America. Suriname is situated
in the north of South America. It borders French Guiana in
the east, Brazil in the south, Guyana in the west and the
Atlantic Ocean in the north, and has an area of (63,064 square
miles. The country contains many rivers and some mountains.
The larger part of the country consists of uncultivated rain
forest. |
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| Distribution Map |
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Dark, moist environment
of the rainforest |
The Blue
Poison Arrow frog lives in the tropical rainforest. It is
considered terrestrial but it usually stays near a water source
such as a pond or stream. Poison dart frogs like all other
amphibians have a very porous skin and will dehydrate and
die if they are unable to periodically immerse themselves
in water. These frogs are used to a dark, moist environment. |
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Blue Poison Arrow
frogs feed on termites, crickets, ants and fruit flies. Chemicals,
derived from their food, are synthesized into poisons that sre secreted
in the skin of the frog. When captive bred, these same chemicals
are not found in the food sources. |
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The poison, secreted by poison arrow frogs, is an adaptive feature and
a great survival tactic. Not many predators can withstand the poison
of a poison arrow frog. The frog's poison is secreted through the
skin and even a lick can sometimes prove fatal. Poison arrow frogs
have about 200 micrograms of poison in their systems. It would take
only 2 micrograms in the bloodstream to kill a human. |
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Rainforest Native
with Blowgun |
Native
tribes rub arrows and blowgun darts (hence the frog's name)
on the skin of the frog and let them dry. The darts then retain
their toxicity for one to two years. These arrows and blowgun
darts are used for hunting today, but in the past they have
been used in wars against other tribes. |
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The Blue Poison Arrow
frog's only predator is the frog-eating snake (Leimadophis epinephelus)
which is apparently immune to the frog's poison. |
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In matters of courtship and mating, it is
the female Blue Poison Arrow frog that initiates contact. There
is usually a courtship ritual of chasing and wrestling before the
female lays her eggs in the water and the male comes to fertilize
them. It takes this fertilized clutch of eggs about 12 days to hatch
into tadpoles. |
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Some parents will
house their tadpoles singularly since some young frogs in this family
are cannibalistic. Young Blue poison frogs have proven to show this
cannibalistic trait. |
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It takes about 12
weeks for a Blue poison tadpole to metamorphose into a frog. |
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There is very little
known about the Blue Poison Dart frog in the wild. It is known that
they are quite territorial. They are bold and agressive. |
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The skin of a poison
arrow frog stays sticky from mucus. This feature helps to hold in
moisture and it helps tadpoles hold on tight when they are being
carried on the back of the adult female as is seen in some members
of this family. |
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finger and toe tips have glandular adhesive pads that help
the poison arrow frog in climbling and clinging to leaves
and branches. |
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| Poison
Arrow frog uses pads on feet to climb |
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The bright colors
found in poison arrow frogs is the most obvious adaptation. Although
not all poison arrow frogs wear a bright warning flag, fewer poison
arrow frogs are eaten during the day when predators can see them
easier. |
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Blue Poison Arrow
frogs are protected under Appendix II of CITES (Convention in International
Trade in Endangered Species). Threatened by pollution, habitat loss,
competition with non-native species, over use of fertilizer, pathogens,
and rising levels of ultra- violet radiation make the poison arrow
frogs candidates for future endangered listing.. |
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There has been a
new discovery involving the Poison arrow frog, Epipedrobates tricolor
from Ecuador. Researchers from Abbott Labs in Chicago have developed
a new pain killer called ABT-594. John Daly from the National Institute
of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases found that an extract
from the frog's skin could block pain 200 times more effectively
than morphine. Mr. Daly calls the compound "epibatidine"
in honor of the frog. Further studies have been done and this drug
appears to have none of the serious side effects which are associated
with morphine. Morphine can also suppress breathing and stop the
digestive movement in the intestines and the bowel. Current tests
show that ABT-594 does not hinder respiration, diminish digestive
movement or show signs of addiction. |
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