Dyeing Poison Frog Research Paper
Dyeing Poison Frog
The Dendrobates tinctorius, also known as the dyeing poison frog was first discovered in 1797 by G. Cuvier. The Scientific classification of this amphibian is: Kingdom-Animalia, Phylum- Chordata, Class- Amphibia, Order-Anura, Family- Dendrobatidae, Genus- Dendrobates, Species- D. tinctorius.
These are large poison frogs ranging from 40 to 50 mm and some females can reach to 60 mm. The dyeing poison frog is a bright blue frog with two broad yellow stripes on the back. The stripes are connected by cross bands and make two to three oval blue islands down the middle of the back. The arms and legs are usually black or a dark shade of blue with many bright yellow or black spots. Sometimes the colors can vary and the pattern of the frog will be different. The beautiful colors of this frog are the warn predators that they are poisonous and ward them off. They will have an erect posture and a distinct tympanum. It is said that the males can be distinguished from females because they have larger finger discs that are cut straighter across the tips. …show more content…
The dyeing poison frogs are mainly located in Guyana, Surinam, French Guyana and Brazil.
Their habitat is a tropical rainforest from lowland to 1200ft. They are creatures of humid, usually wet habitats, and their skins are not waxy enough to prevent evaporation in dry air. These frogs are mainly ground dwellers and seldom leave ground vegetation but, they are able to climb and jump. They are found living by fallen trees, tree roots and fallen leaves. They are hardly ever seen by streams or streaming water. All Dendrobatids are insectivores. The dyeing poison frogs mainly feed on spiders and small insects such as ants and termites. They have excellent vision which enables them to easily find food on the forest floor. To capture their prey they use their sticky, retractable
tongues.
The reproduction of the Dendrobates tinctorius is during the entire rainy season from about July until September. The male frogs will attempt to attract females by vocalizing, a trill sound. The female is attracted by his calls and will stroke the male's snout. Amplexus occurs always on land, never in water. About eight to ten eggs are usually laid on a leaf. While the eggs are developing the male will periodically come back and check on the eggs. Once the eggs are mature enough the male will carry the tadpoles on his back to water. Dozens of tadpoles may be placed in one large water hole by several males. When the tadpoles reach transformation size they will be on their own and will feed on almost anything. It takes about another three months for the tadpoles to transform into small frogs. All Dendrobatids live on or close to the ground. The males have two vocal slits and an unpaired jugular vocal sac. This is for giving off humming, trilling or chirping sounds; which is used to claim territory and mating. Their territory is visually and vocally defended, They will usually keep a look out from an exposed location such as a rock or tree stump. Males are somewhat territorial and may wrestle, but so do females on occasion. As of now, these frogs are not an endangered species but the destruction of their habitat is causing the numbers to decline. These frogs are also bred in captivity and are sold as pets.
The Dendrobates tinctorius, also known as the dyeing poison frog was first discovered in 1797 by G. Cuvier. The Scientific classification of this amphibian is: Kingdom-Animalia, Phylum- Chordata, Class- Amphibia, Order-Anura, Family- Dendrobatidae, Genus- Dendrobates, Species- D. tinctorius.
These are large poison frogs ranging from 40 to 50 mm and some females can reach to 60 mm. The dyeing poison frog is a bright blue frog with two broad yellow stripes on the back. The stripes are connected by cross bands and make two to three oval blue islands down the middle of the back. The arms and legs are usually black or a dark shade of blue with many bright yellow or black spots. Sometimes the colors can vary and the pattern of the frog will be different. The beautiful colors of this frog are the warn predators that they are poisonous and ward them off. They will have an erect posture and a distinct tympanum. It is said that the males can be distinguished from females because they have larger finger discs that are cut straighter across the tips. …show more content…
The dyeing poison frogs are mainly located in Guyana, Surinam, French Guyana and Brazil.
Their habitat is a tropical rainforest from lowland to 1200ft. They are creatures of humid, usually wet habitats, and their skins are not waxy enough to prevent evaporation in dry air. These frogs are mainly ground dwellers and seldom leave ground vegetation but, they are able to climb and jump. They are found living by fallen trees, tree roots and fallen leaves. They are hardly ever seen by streams or streaming water. All Dendrobatids are insectivores. The dyeing poison frogs mainly feed on spiders and small insects such as ants and termites. They have excellent vision which enables them to easily find food on the forest floor. To capture their prey they use their sticky, retractable
tongues.
The reproduction of the Dendrobates tinctorius is during the entire rainy season from about July until September. The male frogs will attempt to attract females by vocalizing, a trill sound. The female is attracted by his calls and will stroke the male's snout. Amplexus occurs always on land, never in water. About eight to ten eggs are usually laid on a leaf. While the eggs are developing the male will periodically come back and check on the eggs. Once the eggs are mature enough the male will carry the tadpoles on his back to water. Dozens of tadpoles may be placed in one large water hole by several males. When the tadpoles reach transformation size they will be on their own and will feed on almost anything. It takes about another three months for the tadpoles to transform into small frogs. All Dendrobatids live on or close to the ground. The males have two vocal slits and an unpaired jugular vocal sac. This is for giving off humming, trilling or chirping sounds; which is used to claim territory and mating. Their territory is visually and vocally defended, They will usually keep a look out from an exposed location such as a rock or tree stump. Males are somewhat territorial and may wrestle, but so do females on occasion. As of now, these frogs are not an endangered species but the destruction of their habitat is causing the numbers to decline. These frogs are also bred in captivity and are sold as pets.