Amphibians ...

Poison Arrow Frogs; Poison Dart Frogs
Genus: Dendrobates
These endangered frogs are found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. They are tiny, brightly colored with slender bodies. They have a pair of plate-like scutes or disks on the upper side of the fingertips and toes with the first finger shorter than second and no teeth. Their bright colors warn predators to stay away.

Glands in the skin produce a poison -a neurotoxin –which acts on the nervous system. South American Indians used this poison on their arrow tips. They killed the frogs and roasted them over a fire catching the poison as it dripped off the skin. The poison was kept until it fermented, then arrow tips were dipped in it and allowed to dry. Birds or monkeys struck with these arrows were paralyzed almost instantly. Small amounts of the poison have little effect on larger animals or humans. The frogs are not dangerous to touch as long as the skin secretions are not swallowed or allowed to enter the eyes, mouth or open wounds. One should definitely wash hands after handling these amphibians.

The breeding cycle is very unusual. Females lay eggs in a moist place on land. The males fertilize the eggs and guard them. When the tadpoles hatch they crawl onto the males back and then are carried to the water. In the zoo they are fed fruit flies and their habitat is kept moist. They can also eat small insects and spiders, termites and ants

Blue Dart Frog
Dendrobates azureus
These terrestrial frogs are found from Costa Rica to Brazil. They like high humidity and dense vegetation. They defend their territories aggressively with posturing, chasing and wrestling. The bright turquoise blue body with black spots and darker blue legs is very striking. Blue males have heart shaped front toes, females are larger than males and tadpoles are cannibalistic. Life span is two to ten years.



Dyeing Frog
Dendrobates tinctorius
Native to the north part of French Guiana, Guyana, Surinam and Brazil . This frog's belly and limbs are blue with black spots like the blue dart frog. Its back is bright yellow and black. Females feed unfertilized eggs to their young and life span is two to ten years.




Green and Black; Hawaiian
Dendrobates auratus
This green and black poison arrow frog is established on O`ahu in moist valleys. It was introduced into Hawaii in 1932 from Panama for mosquito control. Ours were collected in Manoa Valley in June 2001. They have an elaborate mating ritual and have successfully reproduced at the zoo. Life span is five to fifteen years. Lemon Yellow Dendrobates_galactonotus
These tiny frogs have bright yellow backs with dark blue to black legs and underside. The females tend to be larger than males. They are native to Brazil south of the Amazon and are also called Splash-back Poison Arrow Frogs. They are terrestrial and are common in their range where they eat ants, beetles and termites. This species also has a orange or red phase.



Lemon Yellow
Dendrobates_galactonotus
These tiny frogs have bright yellow backs with dark blue to black legs and underside. The females tend to be larger than males. They are native to Brazil south of the Amazon and are also called Splash-back Poison Arrow Frogs. They are terrestrial and are common in their range where they eat ants, beetles and termites. This species also has a orange or red phase.



Ornate Horned Frog
Ceratophrys ornata
Family: Leptodactylidae
These nocturnal frogs from South America are very colorful and striking in appearance. Body length can be as much as eight and one-half inches with females larger than males and weight exceeding one pound. Their upper eyelids are extended to form long tips or "horns". They have large, strong mouths and jaws with teeth on the upper edge of their jaw and two vomerine teeth (knob-like, backward slanting on the roof of their mouth) for feeding and defense. Their prey includes mice, lizards and other frogs. The body coloration of lines and blotches provides an excellent camouflage breaking up the lines of the frog. They settle deep in the foliage with only their eyes protruding and lie in wait for prey. They even sleep with their eyes open. Life span is five to ten years.

Our ornate horned frog Jabba arrived in June 1997. Jabba was fed a mouse every two weeks except in winter, when just one a month was sufficient. Sometimes she had gone as long as three months in the winter without eating. She arrived with instructions to be careful not to get too close, because her bite can be like a bulldog's (she won’t let go), tongs were used to deliver the fresh dead mouse. She spent most of the time soaking in water to keep her skin from drying out. Jabba, one of our most popular exhibits, died of old age in July 2005. The zoo has received 4 mini "Jabbas" in June 2006 as a replacement. They each have different colored markings. We hope they will grow as big as their namesake.

Tomato Frog
Dyscophus antongilli
Family: Microhylidae
These frogs are native to northwest Madagascar where they are endangered due to habitat destruction. They are widely bred in captivity; however, the captive-bred frogs are not as brightly colored as wild ones.

Named for their plump shape and red color, they are also characterized by a flattened head and reach lengths of 3 to 5 inches. When handled they produce a very sticky skin secretion in defense against predators.

Tomato frogs are mostly terrestrial spending much of their time buried in the soil and coming out at night to feed on insects. They lay their eggs in the water during the rainy season.




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