Dubbed the “most toxic” creature in the world, the venom of the poison dart frog paralyzes the nervous system, immobilizes muscles, and leads to death. The venom of a single golden poison dart frog can kill nearly 20 healthy men or even 2 male African elephants.
Venom serves not only as a defense mechanism but also as a means to attack and incapacitate prey in the animal kingdom. Surpassing countless formidable competitors, this tiny creature possesses the deadliest venom on the planet: The fastest killer!
This is the poison dart frog (scientific name: Dendrobatidae), a group of frog species within the Dendrobatidae family that primarily inhabit Central and South America.
They are named so because indigenous people used their venom to coat darts for hunting.
Leading the pack is the golden poison dart frog (Phyllobates terribilis)</strong) from Colombia, recognized as the most toxic animal on Earth. Its venom can kill between 10-20 men or 2 male African elephants. Notably, the skin of some species within this group contains toxins that are 200 times more potent than morphine.
Golden poison dart frog.
Their skin secretes batrachotoxin, a type of toxin that paralyzes the nervous system, immobilizes muscles, and can lead to death. The venom of a golden poison dart frog can kill nearly 20 healthy men or even 2 male African elephants.
This species has a strikingly bright and colorful appearance. However, do not be deceived by its “eye-catching” looks; a minor contact with its skin can cause a human heart to stop beating rapidly.
Compared to other poison dart frogs like the black poison dart frog or the bicolor poison dart frog, the toxicity of the golden poison dart frog is vastly greater. Even more frightening, their venom can remain potent for up to a year!
If you accidentally touch them, it doesn’t mean you will be poisoned through the skin, as they only secrete toxins when they feel threatened; however, that does not make it safe to handle them casually.
Despite being a small frog capable of killing even elephants, their ancestors lived 40 to 45 million years ago and were not toxic. They can produce venom because they consume toxic prey. This tiny frog often eats a species of ant that contains toxic alkaloid molecules, and they do not waste any part of this meal. After eating, poison dart frogs store these toxic molecules in their glands and synthesize them into their own venom.
Slightly smaller than the golden poison dart frog, the black-legged poison dart frog or bicolor poison dart frog (Phyllobates bicolor) from western Colombia can kill a person with just 150 micrograms of toxin. Victims experience fever, pain, convulsions, respiratory paralysis, muscle paralysis, and then death.
Kokoe poison dart frog (Phyllobates aurotaenia) is the smallest species in the poison dart frog genus. Its toxin can penetrate through wounds or pores, causing severe pain, fever, convulsions, and paralysis. Indigenous Colombians commonly use its toxin to coat hunting arrows.
Three-colored poison dart frog (Epipedobates tricolor) measures just under 1/2 inch but its toxin can easily kill prey and humans. This species is currently endangered in Ecuador due to overexploitation for the painkiller epibatadine, which is 200 times more potent than morphine.
Three-colored poison dart frog.
Next is the black-spotted frog (Ranitomeya variabilis), which lives in the tropical rainforests of Ecuador and Peru, and has skin toxins that can kill 5 people.
Yellow-backed poison dart frog (Phyllobates vittatus) is one of the 4 most toxic poison dart frog species. However, it contains less toxicity, which can cause pain, mild convulsions, and even paralysis in some cases of poisoning.
Striped poison dart frog (Phyllobates lugubris) in Central America has a relatively low toxin level of 0-0.8 micrograms but can still cause heart failure in animals that prey on it.
Although not as lethal as other poison dart frog species, the azure poison dart frog (Dendrobates azureus) remains a species with dangerous toxicity.
Azure poison dart frog.
Still belonging to the famous poison dart frog genus, the red poison dart frog (Oophaga pumilio) can cause swelling and burning for those who come into contact with its toxin.
Red-black poison dart frog (Ranitomeya reticulatus) from Peru has moderate toxicity but can kill animals like chickens and injure humans.
As the third largest poison dart frog species, measuring about 2 inches, the dyed poison dart frog (Dendrobates tinctorius) comes in various colors containing toxins for self-defense. Tribes use it to coat hunting arrows.
Finally, the giant leaf frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor), also known as the monkey frog, has mild toxins causing pain, stomach nausea leading to hallucinations when contacted. They are currently endangered due to some of their toxic components being usable in AIDS and cancer treatments.
Despite knowing they are extremely toxic, some people still choose poison dart frogs as pets. Because their toxicity comes from what they eat, owners can “neutralize” a poison dart frog by providing it with a strict diet that includes non-toxic insects.
Additionally, it is safe to handle poison dart frogs if they only eat insects like fruit flies and crickets.
In contrast, if they live in Hawaii or British Columbia, Canada, anyone keeping poison dart frogs is breaking the law. This law is enforced to protect poison dart frogs and also to safeguard humans.
Currently, due to deforestation, particularly in tropical forests, poison dart frogs are at risk of extinction. Their habitats are also shrinking.
The Unique Hunting Methods of Poison Dart Frogs
Poison Dart Frogs have a unique hunting method. (Photo: Smithsonian).
The main food source is the secret behind the extreme potency of poison dart frogs’ venom. Surprisingly, poison dart frogs do not use their venom to hunt. Instead, they often lure prey by tapping their long middle toes on the ground.
Scientists believe these gentle taps mimic the sound of rain, attracting hidden insects to come out. Once these insects emerge, they fall into the frogs’ mouths.
Poison dart frogs will then extend their long, sticky tongues to engulf the prey. This is also the secret behind their potent venom.
Why Poison Dart Frogs Are Not Poisoned?
According to researcher Fayal Abderemane-Ali at the Cardiovascular Research Institute of the University of California (USA), poison dart frogs and other toxic animals have 3 tricks to prevent self-poisoning.
The most common trick helping toxic animals avoid poisoning is related to a gene mutation that slightly alters the shape of the target protein of the toxin, preventing the toxin from binding to that protein.
For example, the Dendrobates tinctorius azureus species carries a toxin called epibatidine. This is a non-addictive but very potent toxin. According to a 2017 study published in the journal Science, these poison dart frogs have evolved adaptations in their acetylcholine receptors to slightly change the shape of these receptors, thus enabling them to resist the toxin.
The second trick that toxic predators often use is the ability to completely eliminate toxins from their bodies. This is simply another way for animals to avoid being poisoned by what they consume.
The third trick is called isolation. In this case, animals develop a system to store toxins in their bodies without causing any problems or side effects for themselves.
