Facts about Frogs , Amphibians,  Reptiles, Fish & other Animals

Strawberry Poison-dart Frog

The Strawberry Poison-dart frog, Oophaga pumilio is a type of poison dart frog found in Central America, with a high concentration within the nation of Costa Rica.

Oophaga pumilio is a species that exhibits a great deal of variation, comprising well over thirty different true-breeding color morphs. Aside from the obvious differences in coloring, morphs differ in habitat usage, size, vocalization, and degree of parental care. The "blue jeans" morph is the morph most popular among frog hobbyists and is generally depicted in most merchandise displaying O. pumilio. Most morphs of O. pumilio average between 18-20mm as adults.

The bright, aposematic warning colors displayed by O. pumilio are indicative of the presence of various toxins present in the frog's skin. These chemicals likely give the frog a bad taste, limiting predation. Oophaga pumilio does not possess any chemical capable of seriously harming humans, though a field worker described intense burning and mild swelling after getting skin secretions into a cut on his arm