Dart frogs... Jewels of our rainforest

Art by Florencia Lathrop

There is no other thing that excites me the most than to talk about Dart frogs. These jewels from the rainforest are extraordinary amphibians that have diurnal habits and that can be easily seen if you know where to look...

There are 3 main genera in Costa Rica, Dendrobates , Phyllobates and Silverstoneia, the first 2 are the most common to see in the lowland rainforest from the Osa Peninsula. Just very recently the some of genera Dendrobates has changed to Oophaga, so now its Oophaga granulifera and Oophaga pumilio. Frogs of this family differ from all other frogs by having two shieldlike flaps on the top of the fingers and toes, although it is hard to see these without a magnifying glass.

Green and black dart frog (Dendrobates auratus)
Their natural habitat are leaves in the rainforest soil
Art by Florencia Lathrop

Most dendrobatids are easily recognized by their bright coloration, which appears to advertise the presence of skin toxins, although some species, primarily in the genus Silverstoneia are cryptically colored and not poisonous.

This family common name derives from the skin toxins mainly found in the genera Oophaga and Phyllobates. Frogs of the genus Phyllobates have skin toxins that can be particulary strong; the skin of the South American species, Phyllobates terribilis, contains toxin sufficient (batrachotoxin) to kill twenty thousand mice or ten adult humans. This is the strongest animal toxin know to biologist.

Recent studies have revealed that the source of the alkaloids, or chemical compounds, responsible for the toxicity of the skin secretions may be the food the frogs eat. Although many insects ‘species that this frog consumes contain alkaloids, more species of ants contain alkaloids than do any other insect group.

Golfo Dulcean dart frog (Phyllobates vittatus)
This dart frog is endemic to the Osa Peninsula.
Photo: Tzirú Pérez

If you want to observe these gems in the Osa Peninsula, you can book a day tour to Corcovado NationalPark and observe at least 2 of these beautiful creatures. Other places you can visit to observe them are:  La Tarde, ElTigre, Matapalo, Tamandua and other special creeks some of our guides at OSA WILD can help you discover.

Please be conscious about the importance of these frogs to the ecosystem and don’t buy or order them. In Costa Rica these are threatened creatures; deforestation and habitat loss have reduced their populations. Buying wildlife is illegal; we know and you know it is way better to see them in their natural habitat.

Art by Florencia Lathrop

Article by Ifigenia Garita
Photography by Tzirú Pérez
Illustrations by the costarrican artist and designer Florencia Lathrop. You can check more of her art work at www.florencialathrop.com