Harlequin poison frog facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Harlequin poison frog |
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Dendrobates histrionicus Berthold, 1845 |
The harlequin poison frog (also called the harlequin poison-dart frog) is a small, colorful frog. Its scientific name is Oophaga histrionica. This special frog lives only in the rainforests of western Colombia, in a place called Chocó. You can usually find it on the forest floor, hiding among fallen branches or dead leaves. Some frogs that used to be called Oophaga histrionica are now known as different species. These include Oophaga anchicayensis, Oophaga andresi, and Oophaga solanensis.
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What the Harlequin Poison Frog Looks Like
The harlequin poison frog is a small frog. It is about 3.3 centimeters (1.3 inches) long from its nose to its bottom. Its skin can be light brown or dark brown. It often has a bright spot on its back.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Harlequin poison frogs live on the floor of the rainforest. The male frog calls out from a low branch to let females know he is there. The female then lays her eggs among the fallen leaves on the ground.
When the eggs hatch, the tiny baby frogs, called tadpoles, need water. One of the parents carries the new tadpoles to a small pool of water. This water is often found in the leaves of a plant called a bromeliad.
The mother frog comes back often to lay eggs that are not fertilized. These special eggs are food for the tadpoles. The tadpoles eat these eggs until they are big enough to change into frogs. Without these eggs, the tadpoles would not survive.
Adult harlequin poison frogs eat ants and mites. They hunt for food on the ground after the sun comes up. By late afternoon, around 4 PM, they find a safe place to hide. They might hide under leaves on the ground or on fallen logs.
It is very hard to raise these frogs in zoos or as pets. This is because the tadpoles need their mother to feed them. Because of this, you do not often see them for sale as pets. If you do, they might have been brought in illegally from the wild. Wild frogs are often stressed and need a lot of care. They can also be dangerous to touch because of their poison.
The Frog's Poison
The harlequin poison frog, like some other poison dart frogs, makes special poisons. These poisons are called histrionicotoxins. They are very strong and can be dangerous. The frog uses these poisons to protect itself from animals that might try to eat it. The poisons mostly affect the nervous system of other animals.
Why This Frog Needs Our Help
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) says that the harlequin poison frog is "Critically Endangered". This means it is in great danger of disappearing forever. Its home, the rainforest, is being destroyed. Because of this, the number of these frogs is getting smaller and smaller. We need to protect their habitat to help them survive.
See also
You can also read about this frog in Spanish: Rana cocoi para niños
