Other species in this frog’s family have been used to make blowgun darts especially lethal.
#Purple tree frog species skin
The Strawberry Poison-dart Ffrog is not known to be lethal to man, but its skin secretions may have unpredictable effects on humans. The frog’s bright colors warn off predators because the colors signal the toxicity for which the Poison-dart is named. For more than a month, the female returns every few days to feed her young. Each tadpole is placed in a separate plant, where the mother leaves it with 1 to 5 unfertilized eggs for protein and nutrients. Amazingly, the tadpole chooses its spot by vibrating when the mother approaches a desirable spot. These carefully chosen nests are sometimes in the canopy, high up from the frog’s otherwise ground-level habitat. One to four tadpoles at a time squirm onto her back, and she carries each one to a different plant or leaf stem that is holding water-bromeliads are often the choice. Tadpoles hatch after one week, when the female returns. He also eats any eggs that are infected with fungi or that do not develop, as well as any eggs left by other males. The male keeps the eggs moist by emptying his bladder on them. The parental care beginning at this stage is unmatched by other amphibians. The female lays 3 to 4 eggs, the male fertilizes them, and his mate leaves. Unlike many frogs, the male does not climb onto the female’s back in amplexus, but instead the pair stands vent to vent, or with their tails together. When a female meets a male, he leads her to a place to lay their eggs, such as in a curved leaf or in moist leaf litter. The fascinating reproductive process of this species has captured the interest of biologists and tourists alike. Once one is pinned for several minutes he will leave after the winner releases him. The males stand upright on their hind legs and grapple for dominance. If an intruder persists and calls back, a wrestling competition may result for up to 20 minutes. These are both to attract females to mate as well as to intimidate trespassing males. During the day, males perch on rocks, trees, or fallen logs, and make calls. Though small, males of this species are aggressively territorial. Their small bodies can be seen or sometimes heard moving around leaf litter as they walk and hop. This frog reproduces all year long in areas without a long dry season, and males can be heard calling all day with a buzz or chirp. This bright, charismatic species is active during the day and has a high population density, making its charming figure frequently found in certain areas of Costa Rica. The Strawberry Poison-dart Frog, also called the Blue-jeans Frog, is one of the most ‘popular’ amphibians in its region.
In Bocas del Toro of northeastern Panama, the species may be blue or green on its back with white, yellow, or brown spots. For example, in Nicaragua this species has scarlet back and vibrant purple legs.
Subpopulations of this species exhibit remarkable variation in color in different parts of its range. Its brilliant red head and back and blue-to-purple legs comprise a coloration distinct from all other frogs with the exception of the Granular Poison-dart Frog (Dendrobates granuliferus) the Blue-jeans, however has smooth skin, whereas the Ganular has rough skin on its back. This poison-dart is one of the most prominent frogs in Central America. This frog is prolific on the humid Caribbean side from premontane slopes in Nicaragua through Costa Rican lowlands up to 900 m and into northwestern Panama. In lowland moist and wet forest, the Strawberry Poison-dart lives in undisturbed areas or abandoned clearings.
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