Dendrobatidae is a family of frogs. They are also known as poison dart frogs or poison arrow frogs. The family includes about 170 species. These species are found in Central and South America, as well as on some Caribbean islands.
Most dendrobatid frogs are small, ranging in size from 10 to 20 mm (0.4 to 0.8 inches). However, a few species can grow up to 70 mm (2.8 inches). All dendrobatid frogs have brightly colored bodies. This coloration is used to warn predators that the frog is poisonous.
Dendrobatid frogs get their toxicity from the food they eat. Many of the insects that these frogs eat contain alkaloids. These alkaloids are then concentrated in the body of the frog. When a predator eats a dendrobatid frog, it may become ill or even die depending on the amount of toxins ingested and the sensitivity of the predator to these toxins.
The most toxic dendrobatid frog is Phyllobates terribilis, which is also known as the golden poison dart frog . This species is found in Colombia and can grow up to 40 mm (1.6 inches) long . The venom of this frog has been used by indigenous people for centuries to make darts or arrows for hunting . This venom is so potent that just 2 micrograms – an amount equal to 0 .0002 grams – is enough to kill a human being . As its name suggests , P . terribilis is bright yellow in coloration with black spots on its back .
While P . terribilis may be the most toxic dendrobatid , it isn’t necessarily the deadliest . That distinction goes to Phyllobates bicolor , which is also known as the blue poison dart frog or variable cobalt-blue treefrog . P . bicolor produces pumiliotoxin 251d , which causes paralysis and cardiac arrest within minutes if inhaled or ingested in large quantities . This toxin was used by members of Chocó tribe in Colombia for various purposes , including hunting and warfare . It should be noted that while blue poison dart frogs are among the most toxic animals on Earth , they pose no threat to humans unless we handle them directly since our skin protects us from their toxins