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304 Featured Specimen
Black-legged poison frog

Details

Black-legged poison frog

Phyllobates bicolor

Size
3.2–4.5 cm · 4–8 g
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Sociality
Solitary
Lifespan
8–12 years

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.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
NeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropicalNeotropical

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It uses humid tropical forest floors and streamside areas. Leaf litter and small water sites support both feeding and breeding.

Appearance

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.

Behavior

It is diurnal and solitary. It walks through the forest floor searching for prey, while bright colors warn predators.

Feeding

It is carnivorous, eating ants and other small insects. Skin toxins are linked to chemical compounds obtained from wild prey.

Reproduction

Eggs are laid in damp places, and tadpoles may be carried to water. Larvae develop in water before metamorphosis.

Notes

Its conservation status is EN. Forest habitat protection is important for this sensitive species.