Poison Dart Frog

Claim to Fame: The name “dart frogs” stems from the fact that indigenous Amerindians use the frogs’ venom to poison the tips of their blow darts – a properly prepared dart can remain lethal for up to 2 years.

How to ID it: This small (2-cm-long) frog is beautifully patterned and brightly colored.

Where You’ll Find It: The rainforests of Central and South America. Unlike most frogs, which are nocturnal, dart frogs enjoy the light of day.

How It Attacks: When stressed, poison is secreted through the frog’s microscopic skin glands. Touching a frog won’t cause any problems unless you have an open sore or wound (or lick your fingers); then the toxins enter your blood stream and you can die within 5 minutes.

What Happens to Your Body: The secreted toxin attacks your nervous system, inducing strong muscle contractions, violent convulsions, salivation, heart arrhythmia, and in extreme cases, heart failure and death.

Emergency Treatment: There is currently no effective antidote.
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Photographer: Valerie Abbott