Blue Poison Dart Frog

Blue Poison Dart Frog

scientific name

Dendrobates azureus

size

Weight: 3 grams
Length: 1-1.5 in.

characteristics

Color: aposematic or warning coloration •powder to cobalt or sapphire blue with a few white and black markings
Body: skin glands excrete alkaloid poisons
Feet: suction cup pads on toes

Behaviour: terrestrial • stays near water source like river or pond • diurnal • territorial • bold, aggressive

reproduction/life span

Life span: live up to 9 yr
Mate. female initiates contact • courtship ritual of chasing and wrestling • eggs laid in water and fertilized by male
Incubation: 12 days

tadpoles may be cannibalistic • metamorphosis to adult 12 weeks • female may lay several times in rainy season

diet

Wild: termites, crickets, ants, fruit flies, aphids, spiders

habitat/range

Habitat: tropical rain forest • dark and moist environment
Range: Southern Surinam

status

Cites II

other

poisons produced from diet, not present in animals in captivity