Poison Arrow Dart Frogs

Information on the Breeding Cycle

Poison Dart frogs are distinctive in many aspects from other frog species, one of which is the potent toxins they secrete through glands in their skin. Another very unique feature they possess is the parental care they bestow upon their offspring. Whereas most frogs lay hundreds of eggs in the hope that a reasonable number will survive to reproduce, poison dart frogs only yield between two and twelve eggs (depending on the species) and must rely on this small clutch to produce the next generation.

Number of Eggs Per Clutch By Species

D. tinctorius	8-10
D. leucomelas	5-6
D. pumilio	2-5
D. auratus	4-6
D. azureus	2-6

The care that doting parents give to their young helps ensure the survival of their precious clutches deep within the rainforest. If the mating ritual proves to be successful and a suitable partner is obtained, the parents must then begin the labor-intensive role of constant caregiver to their offspring. This major commitment involves numerous tasks, including transporting the eggs from their location within the mating bower, (where the eggs are fertilized,) to a more suitable location, high above the forest floor. Here the tadpoles can hatch and grow in relative safety. These unique frogs prove themselves time and again to be excellent parents, and fully capable of surviving in the rainforests, despite the many natural dangers they face and their extremely small stature.

To begin the breeding cycle, male poison dart frogs will repeatedly call from a chosen territory to attract a female. Once a female has responded, he will move a short distance, with the female following. The male will then call once more before leading the female to his hidden bower, usually consisting of dead leaves on the ground. At this point, the frogs may demonstrate various behaviors including dancing, or stroking the back and snout.

Typical amplexus* found in other frog species is absent here. Instead, one of the frogs, enters the bower alone. Typically, the female enters first and deposits eggs. After she leaves, the male will enter the bower and fertilize the clutch. A variation of this occurs when the sperm is deposited on the leaf first upon which the female lays her eggs.

After the eggs have been fertilized, one of the parents, periodically returns to the bower to tend to the eggs. This parent is typically male, but varies by species. The parent will move the eggs periodically to help ensure all the eggs get sufficient oxygen. In addition, they guard the clutch and keep the eggs moist using either water from their bladder or from a supply trapped on the skin of their belly after soaking in shallow pools of water.

	Parent Tending Clutch	Number of Tadpoles Carried At Once
*D. tinctoriu*s	Male	1 or 2
*D. leucomelas*	Male	?
*D. pumil*io	Male keeps eggs moist and protects from predators Female transports and feeds tadpoles	1
*D. auratus*	Male	1
*D. azureus*	Male tends to clutch, but both parents have been seen to carry tadpoles.	?

The National Aquarium in Baltimore has additional informaton on their homepage. At the aquarium, they host one of the best breeding programs for poison dart frogs (as well as red-eyed tree frogs) and feature representatives of numerous poison dart frogs species as part of their rainforest exhibit (on the fifth level of the aquarium.)

*Amplexus is the method most frogs utilize in reproduction - the male [which is typically smaller than the female] will climb onto the females back and tightly clasp her around her waist - at times she will carry him around for several days before beginning to lay eggs. Then, as the female lays her eggs, the male will fertilize them.