Poison Dart Frogs

Poison dart frogs (family Dendrobatidae) of Central and South America are among the most toxic animals on Earth. The golden poison frog (Phyllobates terribilis) carries enough batrachotoxin to kill 10–20 humans — or 20,000 mice. Their bright, warning colors (aposematism) advertise their toxicity. They get their toxins from their diet — captive-raised poison frogs are not toxic. Indigenous hunters in Colombia and Panama used the frogs' secretions on blowgun darts (the origin of their name). Scientists are studying their toxins for potential painkillers — epibatidine, found in certain poison frogs, is 200x stronger than morphine. Despite their toxicity, some indigenous peoples handle them — possibly having developed partial resistance.