Amphibian
Yellow-striped Poison Frog
Dendrobates truncatusAlso known as Yellow-striped Poison Dart Frog, Truncate Poison Frog
Yellow-striped poison frogs are small terrestrial amphibians recognized by their sleek black bodies accented with vivid yellow or orange longitudinal stripes. They forage active during the day among moist leaf litter, hunting small invertebrates to concentrate protective alkaloids in their skin. Males court females with soft buzzing calls and assist in guarding egg clutches on damp leaves until the tadpoles hatch.
DiurnalToxic SkinAmphibian
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAnts, Termites, Mites
Predators
- Lid-less snakes
- Large spiders
- Predatory birds
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, deforestation, and illegal wildlife collection
HabitatsTropical dry forest, humid lowland forest, and forest edges
Life span5–10 years
Classification
- FamilyDendrobatidae
- SpeciesDendrobates truncatus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Skin secretes protective alkaloids; do not touch or handle with bare skin.
- Why it is dangerous
- Secretes pumiliotoxin alkaloids through its skin that cause numbness, irritation, or nausea if absorbed or ingested.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a smooth dark brown or black body with two distinct yellow stripes along the flanks.
- What to do
- Do not touch with bare skin; observe quietly without disturbing the surrounding leaf litter.
Responsible observation
- Observe Leaf Litter: Look closely along damp shaded forest floors where adults forage during the day.
- Listen for Calls: Listen for soft, cricket-like buzzing calls coming from shaded ground cover.
- Maintain Safe Distance: Avoid touching wild amphibians to protect both yourself and their permeable skin.
Close Relative (c) Matt Felperin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Felperin · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Fábio Olmos, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Member (c) Brian Gratwicke, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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