phantasmal poison frogimage credit: livbit.com
phantasmal poison frogimage credit: Brian Gratwicke

phantasmal poison frogimage credit: en.academic.ru

Habitat: western slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes

At only 4/10 of an inch this itty-bitty frog appears to be anything but menacing but in reality one touch of this frog’s skin can kill you.

The Phantasmal Poison Frog secretes one of the strongest toxins of all known amphibians – over 200 times more potent than morphine – and can be absorbed through human skin causing an instant overdose.

As young frogs they appear black but once they reach adult hood their skin turns bright red with three green stripes running parallel down their back.

I know that colorful creatures typically run with the slogan “Don’t Eat Me I’m Poisonous” but this frog really means it!