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Marañón poison frog
The Marañón poison frog is a small, brightly coloured amphibian native to northern Peru, where it inhabits humid tropical forests within the upper Marañón River region. Its colours range from warm brown to vibrant orange, patterned with darker mottling that helps it blend into leaf litter despite its striking appearance.
You can find our Marañón poison frogs in the Tropical House with our other poison frog species.
Class:
Amphibia
Order:
Anura
Family:
Dendrobatidae
About the Marañón poison frog
These frogs are insectivores, feeding on tiny invertebrates such as ants, mites, and small flies. Their natural diet contributes to toxin production in wild individuals, although frogs in human care are not toxic due to differences in food availability. Marañón poison frogs are diurnal and spend much of their time foraging across the forest floor.
Typically found in territorial pairs, they lay their eggs on land in moist, protected areas. Once the eggs hatch, adults transport the tadpoles to small pools of water, where they continue their development until metamorphosis. This impressive level of parental care is a hallmark of many poison frog species.
Conservation
The Marañón poison frog is classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Its restricted range in northern Peru faces serious threats from habitat loss and local collection. Forest clearance for agriculture and settlement reduces the moist environments these frogs rely on, while illegal trade impacts already fragile populations. Conservation measures include protected areas in the Marañón region and captive‑breeding initiatives that help safeguard the species’ future.