Golden Poison Dart Frog
Extremely toxic Colombian frog species
The golden poison dart frog (Phyllobates terribilis) is one of the most toxic animals known to science. It lives in the humid rainforests of Colombia along the Pacific coast. Despite its small size, typically only 3–5 cm long, it produces powerful neurotoxins called batrachotoxins in its skin. These toxins can be lethal to predators and were historically used by Indigenous peoples to coat blow darts for hunting. Interestingly, frogs raised in captivity lose their toxicity because their diet lacks specific insects that supply the necessary chemicals. The species is bright yellow, which serves as a warning signal to predators (aposematism).