| BLACK-LEGGED POISON FROG |
| Phyllobates bicolor |
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Range: |
South and Central America, Columbia being one of the main areas. |
The Black-legged Poison Frog is endemic to western Columbia. It is a highly toxic species. Just 150 micrograms of its poison is enough to kill an adult human. |
| Habitat: |
Rain forests, usually on the ground and near water. |
| Diet: |
An assortment of insects and arthropods, such as termites, flies and ants. |
| Status: |
Endangered because destruction of many rainforest regions has led to a rapid population decline. |
| Approximate Dimensions of Adult: |
Weight: 8 - 9 grams.
Length: Around 5 cm. |
| Lifespan: |
8 - 15+ years. |
| Reproduction & Offspring: |
They breed continuously throughout the rainy season, some every other month or even more frequently. In order to attract a female, the male will sit on a leaf and call by trilling or buzzing. This may go on for several days. Once a female is attracted, the mating pair must find a suitable location to lay their eggs. In some species, the male will select a location for the eggs prior to obtaining a mate. They are usually laid in a moist place, such as, in the leaf litter, under rocks, or on rainforest plants. The female lays 4-30 eggs in a jelly-like mass to keep them moist. Then, they are usually guarded by either parent until they are ready to hatch. The parent will take the tadpoles to a suitable body of water where they are able to continue their development. This may consist of a puddle in a tree hole or a water holding plant. |
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