Cute Frog of the Week: March 14, 2011

The bright colors of these frogs scream “Don’t eat me, I’m poisonous!” without the frog having to say a word. This cutie issues the warning with the color red, but you can find bright orange or olive-colored granular poison dart frogs too! Although they’re only the size of a paperclip, their skin contains deadly toxins. To survive, this little frog must find even smaller insects or spiders in the undergrowth of the stream-banks where it lives. Named for its bumpy exterior, the granular poison dart frog can be found in the forests of Costa Rica and Panama. This little frog may be in trouble, however, as it is experiencing continued loss of its forest habitat and chytridiomycosis-related declines.  It is considered threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Photo credit: Brian Gratwicke, Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project.

Every week the Panama Amphibian Rescue and Conservation Project posts a new photo of a cute frog from anywhere in the world with an interesting, fun and unique story to tell. Be sure to check back every Monday for the latest addition.

Send us your own cute frogs by uploading your photos here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/cutefrogoftheweek/