Dendrobates azureus
Encyclopedia
Dendrobates azureus is a type of poison dart frog
found in the forests surrounded by the Sipaliwini savannah, which is located in southern Suriname
and northern to central Brazil
. Dendrobates azureus is widely known as the Blue Poison Dart Frog or by its Tirio Indian name, Okopipi. It takes its species name from the fact that it is colored azure
.
that weighs approximately 8 grams. It grows between 3 and 4.5 cm in length and has a typical lifespan of 4–6 years in the wild. Its bright blue skin serves as a warning to predators. Its colour is also usually darker around its limbs and stomach. The glands of poisonous alkaloids located in the skin serve as a defense mechanism to potential predators. These poisons paralyze and sometimes kill the predator. The black spots are unique to each frog, serving as an identification tool. Each foot contains four toes which each have a flattened tip with a suction cup pad which is used for gripping. This species of frog is also identifiable by a hunch-backed posture.
Physical appearance also differs with the sex of the animal. Females are larger and about half a centimeter longer than males, but males have larger toes. The tips of the toes in females are round while males have heart-shaped tips.
Tadpoles
vary greatly in appearance from adults. The larva
e have a long tail, about six millimeters, with a total length of about ten millimeters. They lack legs and have gills instead of lungs.
Although poison dart frog
s are known for their skin toxin, used on the tips of arrows or darts of natives, in reality only the species of the Phyllobates
genus are used in this manner, although all poison dart frogs have some level of toxicity. In captivity, the frog loses its toxicity as a result of an altered diet.
Between five to ten offspring
are produced, and eggs are laid in the male’s territory, which he defends. The male takes care of the eggs most of the time, but sometimes the female does as well. The eggs hatch between fourteen and eighteen days, and after anywhere from ten to twelve weeks, the tadpoles are fully mature. Both sexes reach sexual maturity at two years of age. The expected lifespan of an average D. azureus is between four and six years in the wild, and about ten years in captivity.
, spiders, and caterpillars, the Dendrobates azureus is primarily an insectivore
, but occasionally feeds on non-insect arthropods. The mother provides unfertilized eggs for the tadpoles’ nutrition.
Like most captive dart frogs, they eat a staple diet of fruit flies, pinhead crickets, rice flour beetle larvae, and springtails.
Poison dart frog
Poison dart frog is the common name of a group of frogs in the family Dendrobatidae which are native to Central and South America. These species are diurnal and often have brightly-colored bodies...
found in the forests surrounded by the Sipaliwini savannah, which is located in southern Suriname
Suriname
Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname , is a country in northern South America. It borders French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname was a former colony of the British and of the Dutch, and was previously known as...
and northern to central Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. Dendrobates azureus is widely known as the Blue Poison Dart Frog or by its Tirio Indian name, Okopipi. It takes its species name from the fact that it is colored azure
Azure (color)
The color bleu de France is displayed at right.Bleu de France is a color that has been associated in heraldry with the Kings of France since the 12th century.-Brandeis blue:...
.
Physical description
D. azureus is a medium-sized frogFrog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
that weighs approximately 8 grams. It grows between 3 and 4.5 cm in length and has a typical lifespan of 4–6 years in the wild. Its bright blue skin serves as a warning to predators. Its colour is also usually darker around its limbs and stomach. The glands of poisonous alkaloids located in the skin serve as a defense mechanism to potential predators. These poisons paralyze and sometimes kill the predator. The black spots are unique to each frog, serving as an identification tool. Each foot contains four toes which each have a flattened tip with a suction cup pad which is used for gripping. This species of frog is also identifiable by a hunch-backed posture.
Physical appearance also differs with the sex of the animal. Females are larger and about half a centimeter longer than males, but males have larger toes. The tips of the toes in females are round while males have heart-shaped tips.
Tadpoles
Tadpoles
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vary greatly in appearance from adults. The larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
e have a long tail, about six millimeters, with a total length of about ten millimeters. They lack legs and have gills instead of lungs.
Behavior
Dendrobates azureus is a mainland animal, but stays close to water sources. These frogs spend most of their awake time during the day, hopping around in short leaps. They are very territorial and aggressive both towards their own species and others. In order to ward off intruders, they use a series of calls, chases, and wrestling, which usually occurs within the same sex.Although poison dart frog
Poison dart frog
Poison dart frog is the common name of a group of frogs in the family Dendrobatidae which are native to Central and South America. These species are diurnal and often have brightly-colored bodies...
s are known for their skin toxin, used on the tips of arrows or darts of natives, in reality only the species of the Phyllobates
Phyllobates
Phyllobates is a genus of poison dart frogs native to South America, from Nicaragua to Colombia. Phyllobates contains the most poisonous species of frog, the Golden Poison Frog . They are typical of the poison dart frogs, in that all species are colourful, and have varying degrees of toxicity...
genus are used in this manner, although all poison dart frogs have some level of toxicity. In captivity, the frog loses its toxicity as a result of an altered diet.
Reproduction
The Blue Poison Dart Frog breeds seasonally, usually during the months of February or March when it is rainy. In order to find a mate, the males sit on a rock and produce quiet calls, which the female follows and tracks down the male. The females then physically fight over the male. The male takes the female to a quiet place by water to mate, which becomes the site of the egg-laying.Between five to ten offspring
Offspring
In biology, offspring is the product of reproduction, of a new organism produced by one or more parents.Collective offspring may be known as a brood or progeny in a more general way...
are produced, and eggs are laid in the male’s territory, which he defends. The male takes care of the eggs most of the time, but sometimes the female does as well. The eggs hatch between fourteen and eighteen days, and after anywhere from ten to twelve weeks, the tadpoles are fully mature. Both sexes reach sexual maturity at two years of age. The expected lifespan of an average D. azureus is between four and six years in the wild, and about ten years in captivity.
Eating habits
Feeding on primarily insects such and other arthropods as ants, fliesFließ
Fließ is a municipality in the Landeck district and is located5 km south of Landeck on the upper course of the Inn River. It has 9 hamlets and was already populated at the roman age; the village itself was founded around the 6th century. After a conflagration in 1933 Fließ was restored more...
, spiders, and caterpillars, the Dendrobates azureus is primarily an insectivore
Insectivore
An insectivore is a type of carnivore with a diet that consists chiefly of insects and similar small creatures. An alternate term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of eating insects....
, but occasionally feeds on non-insect arthropods. The mother provides unfertilized eggs for the tadpoles’ nutrition.
Captive care
The blue dart frog is very popular in captivity. Besides being visually appealing, D. azureus is both a hardy frog and easy to breed. They are highly recommended for beginner hobbyists. However, they are somewhat aggressive frogs, and are best kept in pairs.Like most captive dart frogs, they eat a staple diet of fruit flies, pinhead crickets, rice flour beetle larvae, and springtails.