Yellow Banded Poison Dart Frog

scientific name

Dendrobates leucomelus

size

Length: 1 1/2-2 in " females larger and thicker

characteristics

Color: aposematic or warning coloration juvenile black with yellow band around middle, adults develop black spots in the yellow band and marking become more intricate
Body: skin glands excrete alkaloid poisons
Toes: glandular adhesive pads on toes

Behavior: diurnal " live colonially on forest floor in leaf litter, on fallen trees, stones " forage amongst leaf litter " make short hops " rarely still for more than seconds " territorial among species

reproduction/life span

Mate. male buzzes, hums, chirps and trills to attract female " 2-12 eggs laid " female leaves and male carries eggs in mouth to small water reservoirs " male guards and keeps moist
Incubation: 12-14 days
Offspring: juvenile sexually mature in 2-3 mo.

diet

Wild: ants, termites, tiny beetles, crickets, other small insects, spiders

habitat/range

Habitat: humid rain forests, 163-2600 ft above sea level
Range: Venezuela and Central America

other

largest of this genus " also called Bumblebee Poison Dart Frog

note

poisons produced from diet, not present in animals in captivity

oregon zoo exhibit

Amazon

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