image credit: Lytah Razafimahefa, via Flickr
image credit: FrogCaller, via Flickr
image credit: amphibianforum.com
image credit: boxrep.exblog.jpHabitat: forests of east-central Madagascar
Even though this is an extremely beautiful amphibian, you must remember that colors like these didn’t evolve so the frog would look nice – they’re a warning. “Stay out of my way or you’re gonna get it.”
The frog, commonly called Baroni’s Painted Frog (mantella baroni) gets its toxicity from eating ants, beetles, and mites. Ingestion of these yummy bugs creates high alkaloid concentrations in the frog’s skin, making it toxic to predators.
Beautiful but sinister… a very cool amphibian!
