Arrow poison frog
The Sapo Minero, is one of the most interesting amphibians of Guayana, South of the Orinoco River, in Venezuela. This interesting toad belongs to a family, whose colorful species are characterized by the abundant poisonous secretion produced by their skin. They are Also called "arrow poison frogs", since the Indians use the poison on the tips of their blowgun darts and arrows. The yellow and black varicolored toads live in the gloomy and wet floor of the jungle. They are often found walking on the rubble accumulated in soil and under the plant cover. Even so, they are clearly spotted, since the black and gilded color combination is very striking to the eye. So striking as it is, it does not put them in danger. Quite on the contrary, few potential predators would be interested in flavoring the poison they produce. Such color combination is a common warning mechanism, announcing the danger predators face: hunger could be substituted by indigestion or even death from poisoning. Instead of lying eggs directly in water, as many other amphibians do, the Arrow Poison Frogs lay only a few eggs the male carries around attached on his back. When eggs mature and tadpoles are able to swim, they leave their father's back and make it freely to the water, to live their lives in the style of the Borgia! |
