CENTRAL / SOUTH AMERICAN POISONOUS FROGS

Dendrobates bombetes

Family: Dendrobatidae Genus: Dendrobates Species: bombetes Common Names Cauca Poison-Arrow Frog , Cauca Poison Frog Countries Colombia
	Species Distribution Map

Taxonomy and Biology

Adult length: 16mm

Description

Head and body dorsum are dark brown to black with bright orange red to red dorsolateral stripes extending from the snout ( usually connected on the snout ), passing over the eyes and extending posteriorly to usually about midbody. A red snout spot is usually present ( often connected to body stripes ) and a similar large, red spot is present posterior to the eyes which may or may not be connected to the dorsolateral stripes. Flanks are black often with a few small spots or bars of yellow or yellowish green. Upper arms are usually reddish. Lower arms and legs are dark brown to black with or without some small yellowish, greenish or bluish spots. Palms and soles are usually dark grey to black. Head venter is usually white to yellowish with some black spotting. Ventral surface body colour is variable ranging from white to yellow to bluish or greenish with black spotting or mottling.

Habitat

Moderately dry temperate grasslands and low forest including cactus, small shrubs and ground dwelling bromeliads at elevations between 650 and 2100 metres.

Habits

Diurnal and terrestrial frog that inhabits the forest floor leaf litter.

Prey

Feeds mainly on ants, beetles and other small insects.

Poison Activity

Poison Type: Pumiliotoxins, Decahydroquinolines, Pyrrolizidines, Indolizidines, Quinolizidines , Tricyclic Gephyrotoxin