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Green and black poison dart frog
The green and black poison dart frog is a striking amphibian native to Central America, where it lives in the humid leaf litter of tropical rainforests. Its vivid green base colour marked with irregular black blotches serves both as camouflage among sun‑dappled foliage and as a warning to predators.
You can find our collection of green and black poison dart frogs downstairs in the Tropical House.
Class:
Amphibian
Order:
Anura
Family:
Dendrobatidae
About the green and black poison dart frog
These frogs are insectivores, feeding primarily on ants, mites, and other tiny invertebrates. Their bright colours are the result of their natural diet, which contains alkaloid toxins. Frogs in human care do not develop the same toxins because they eat a different range of insects.
Green and black poison dart frogs are generally seen in territorial pairs. They lay their eggs on land, and once the tadpoles hatch, adults carry them on their backs to pools of water where they complete their development. Their complex parental care is one of the species’ most fascinating behaviours.
Conservation
The species is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, but some local populations in Central America face pressure from habitat loss and collection for the wildlife trade. Although they remain widespread, the continued protection of rainforest habitats and responsible captive‑breeding initiatives help safeguard their future.