Blue Poison
Dart Frog -
Dendrobates azureus
Poison
dart frogs are fascinating amphibians. Like all amphibians, they
have special poison glands in their skin. In the case of a few
species, the poison produced is so toxic it kills. However, most
species, such as the blue poison dart frog do not produce a deadly toxin.
Why?
The purpose of the poison is to protect the frog from predators. The poison protects the frog because it does not kill the predator. Predators need to learn to avoid eating these brightly coloured frogs. The only way the predator can learn to avoid eating these bright jewels of the rainforest is for the predator to feel ill after eating one. The predator then associates the illness with the colourful frog and learns not to eat them. Therefore, the poison should not be so strong as to kill the predator. A dead predator does not learn.