Costa Rica frogs

Known as symbols of the tropical rainforest of the lowlands of Costa Rica, some of them poisonous, they are interpreters of interminable nocturnal recitals. Costa Rica frogs are one of the smallest inhabitants of the forest, there are many variations of colors and sizes, each of them has different habits and aspects of their life. Its absence in our ecosystem could be a warning that nature is sick, for that reason although many are scared when they see them, rather they should be scared the day they do not see them.

The evolution of poisonous frogs in Costa Rica rainforest, is adjusted to the efficient search for spaces to develop and reproduce. Its reproduction consists of vocalizations of the male to attract the female and combat between the males. The female deposits a small number of eggs in a humid place where they are fertilized by the male, from plants to roots of trees that contain water in their bases and provide an ideal cradle for the eggs. Between 5 to 10 days when the tadpoles emerge from the egg the adults carry them on their backs (corresponding to the first stages of the metamorphosis of the frogs prior to their maturity) to a bromeliad that contains water where they complete their development in approximately two months During this time the females return periodically to deposit infertile eggs that serve as food for the tadpoles.

Rainforest Costa Rica frogs are diurnal and feed mainly on insects, larvae, and worms. The name of poisonous frogs in Costa Rica or poison dart frog, comes from the Amazon where the Indigenas use them to poison the tips of their weapons and use them in hunting. In this process, they take the poison dart frog and expose it to the heat of the fire so that it exudes small amounts of poisonous fluid.

There is great scientific interest in researching the poison of their skin and using it as their own defense. This frogs poison is obtained from the alkaloids that contain the ants from which they feed, even both species have established evolutionary relationships so a healthy tropical search contains both frogs and ants.

These Costa Rica frogs, because of their beautiful colors, are among the main victims of international wildlife trafficking. Unscrupulous traders from North American and European countries illegally and continuously extract large quantities of these frogs and other species (some with reduced populations or in danger of extinction) to supply the black market that unfortunately exists and that is promoted by private collectors and many zoos and wildlife exhibits.

Aspects to take into account:

The skin of Costa Rica poisonous frogs is very sensitive, avoid direct contact and if for some reason should touch this species, please use clean hands (free of repellents, creams or lotions), so as not to endanger the life of these beautiful animals.

The skin of this Costa Rica frogs contains an extremely powerful poison, a powerful alkaloid called batrachotoxin, whose effects are mainly neurotoxic, which means that it can produce a respiratory arrest due to progressive muscle paralysis.

Poison dart frog can affect humans if it reaches the bloodstream, the nasal passages, the eyes, or if they are ingested, and this will only happen if they are manipulated and then pass their hands through the eyes or nose, or The skin of the frog makes contact with an open wound.

If you want to see poisonous frogs in Costa Rica, visit the best zip line in Costa Rica, the Pacific coast.