Details
Phyllobates bicolor
The black-legged poison frog is a vivid Neotropical forest frog. It is a solitary diurnal carnivore that hunts small animals on the forest floor.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses humid tropical forest floors and streamside areas. Leaf litter and small water sites support both feeding and breeding.
Body length is about 3.2-4.5 cm and weight about 4-8 g. Yellow to orange body color and dark legs form strong warning coloration.
It is diurnal and solitary. It walks through the forest floor searching for prey, while bright colors warn predators.
It is carnivorous, eating ants and other small insects. Skin toxins are linked to chemical compounds obtained from wild prey.
Eggs are laid in damp places, and tadpoles may be carried to water. Larvae develop in water before metamorphosis.
Its conservation status is EN. Forest habitat protection is important for this sensitive species.
