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Mimic Poison Dart Frog

Mimic poison frog

Ranitomeya imitator

At the Detroit Zoo

Mimic poison frogs can be seen at the award-winning National Amphibian Conservation Center in a habitat with other species of poison frogs. Native to the rainforests of northern and northeastern Peru, this frog is a skilled climber and very active. It is also diurnal, therefore it can be viewed best during the day. It can often be heard making calls in the form of a high-pitched trill. The National Amphibian Conservation Center is a leader in amphibian conservation and research and houses a spectacular diversity of frogs, toads, salamanders, newts and caecilians.

Description

Mimic poison frogs have vivid colorations and generally bold personalities. These frogs are very mild in toxicity compared to other poison frogs, and get their name from the fact that their coloration mimics more toxic species. These tiny amphibians grow to be about the size of a thumbnail.

Fun Facts

  • Male mimic poison frogs take care of the tadpoles; females will leave unfertilized eggs for the tadpoles to eat.