Skip to main content
Today is World Rainforest Day!
Close

Amazonian Poison Frog

Ranitomeya ventrimaculata

Photo by Dan Doucette
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-4.18207, -69.9596

Field Notes

Description:

R. ventrimaculata secretes poison through glands in the skin which protect it from fungi and bacteria as well as from predators, which are also warned to stay clear by its warning coloration. It is often included among the dart-poison frogs, although its toxin is comparatively weak. These frogs really are tiny, see last photo for scale.

Habitat:

amazon

Notes:

I was so happy to spot a species of poison dart frog. We spotted this on a wide trail that marks the boundary of Tupana Aru reserve. This frog did not like to stay still for long but eventually relaxed a little. Even my guide said that he didn't see poison dart frogs often. I asked if it was okay to pick up after he handled it and he said it was okay, so I included that as my last photo. I don't have a problem with a person in the photo for scale, especially if it is not the main image. This was a tough one to ID but I'm pretty sure I am right.

Reference Links:

Reticulated poison frog

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (41)
Dan Doucette
Thanks Sckel, Manuljie, Carol, Lauren, Mac and outsidegirl.
Carol Snow Milne
Incredibly small! What great macros. Wonderful little frog. Congratulations!
Sckel
Congratulations my friends. I hope you have done the research, because I ask questions. :D
Kya
What an alerting color.
Dan Doucette
That is great Yasser, thanks for SOTD! Thank you also Noel, J, Leanne, Subin, Fyn, Joshua, Daniele, Satyen, Kranti and EnvUnlimited.
DanielePralong
Congrats Dan! Wonderful pattern combination on this precious little beauty.
Josh Asel
This is awesome Dan! Congrats on the great spotting. I just learned today the reason we don't see many frogs anymore, like poison dart frogs, is because they are getting destroyed by all kinds of matter. They need to be saved super bad. http://www.savethefrogs.com/
Fyn Kynd
Awesome sighting! Congratulations Dan!
Subin S
Congratzz Dan! Great spotting! Love the 4th one :)
Yasser
Dan, congratulations on another Spotting of the Day! This is a gorgeous frog and the last photo really shows how tiny it is. Thanks for all of the amazing contributions you've made and congrats again on earning this great recognition. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153087680450603&set=a.10152383557885603.943728.10150120463815603&type=1 Twitter: http://twitter.com/projectnoah/status/363856767098163200
Debbie Stewart
its easily done when typing, just thought I'd give you a heads up :-)
Dan Doucette
Thanks Radha and Debbie (oops my bad, thanks for letting me know).
Debbie Stewart
Brilliant series of an amazing tiny frog Dan! (ps I think the 's' and 'i' need switching around ;-))
Radha
Oh, what a fabulous creature this is! Thank you for giving us a size perspective too Dan :)
Dan Doucette
Thanks Marta, Sckel (I will check out that research), Adarsha, Brendan and Tic.
The MnMs
the best is how tiny it really is, when you look at it in comparison with Dan! :-)
Adarsha B S
Fantastic spotting Dan! Love the fourth picture :)
Sckel
I love these small colorful frogs and poisonous. Have you read about the work of Mathieu Chouteau on the Peruvian jungle frogs? The results are impressive
The MnMs
Nice to see how tiny it really is!
beaker98
That is amazing! I've always wanted to see Amazonian frogs. Thanks for sharing your wonderful photos with us!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Amphibians of the World
Mission
Colombia Wildlife
Mission
2013 Best Wildlife Photo
Mission
Mission WILD
Mission
National Geographic's Great Nature Project

Tags

Photographed
PublishedAugust 1, 2013

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies